First, on behalf of the Labour Party, I want to express my deep sympathies to the family of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh and just to say what a truly iconic voice he had and how much of a contribution he made in so many ways, in the GAA and sports commentary but also to the Irish language and active retirement. He will be sorely missed.

I also want to wish Deputies Michael McGrath and Jack Chambers well in their new roles and, of course, to express my solidarity with Natasha O'Brien. I was privileged to speak with Natasha. Indeed, I think all of us want to express solidarity with Natasha. I was in attendance on Saturday at the demonstration called at short notice in Dublin where we saw so many people, particularly women, including young women, coming out on the streets to express their deep frustration and anger at the epidemic of violence against women that we have seen and at the sort of second victimisation or re-victimisation that occurs in so many cases through the court process. I welcome the Taoiseach's comments on what will be done in terms of the Defence Forces and his comments on what has been done to tackle gender-based violence, but I ask that we would see a review put in place of the practice of suspending sentences. I am mindful of the separation of powers and of the independence of the Director of Public Prosecutions but the practice of suspending sentences needs to be reviewed.

We are over time.

In particular, what criteria are judges using in operating a full suspension of sentence in cases where there are crimes of violence committed?

We are seeking a debate as a matter of urgency on the issues that have flowed from the "RTÉ Investigates: Horses - Making a Killing" programme. A significant abuse occurred in Shannonside Foods, which is the only equine abattoir in the country and has been temporarily closed down. The abuse that was featured has rightly caused outrage. Horses have been removed from the site. The owner has removed them to his County Clare lands. There is much concern about the welfare of those horses and what oversight there is. There are also traceability issues emerging. There are horse passports and no corresponding horses. The RTÉ report has also triggered Europe-wide food safety investigations. We are talking about a multibillion euro food sector that would be compromised and there would be reputational damage. We are seeking that there should be a debate in this House where the Minister will come and answer questions because there are increasing questions coming up as a consequence that have flowed from that "RTÉ Investigates" report.

I am aware we are running out of time in this Dáil term but, given the seriousness of what has happened in the context of violence against women and the outcome of Natasha's case, we have to find time to debate this issue. Tomorrow, we have six and a half hours dedicated in the afternoon to various Bills. Tomorrow also, luckily for him more than luckily for us, the judge in the case will be retired, so the restraint to which the Taoiseach referred earlier should be lifted from him.

It is very frustrating not to be able to deal with issues and outcomes in the courts as serious as this one in the House. They are extraordinarily serious. It is not the first time that this justice was involved in a similar-----

No-----

-----occasion. Nor will it be the last time that many justices will be involved.

Deputy, you cannot comment on individual-----

I am aware the Ceann Comhairle is obliged to shout at me-----

-----justices. The Deputy cannot comment on individual justices.

-----but I am looking for a debate on the issue. The constraint will be lifted-----

You cannot comment on individual justices. You are out of order.

-----by tomorrow when the individual is retired.

The Deputy is out of order.

The Rural Independent Group wants to be associated with the remarks and call for a debate on the situation regarding Natasha O'Brien, which is horrific.

We are objecting to today's Order of Business because of the flippant and laissez-faire way the Government has handled the migration pact. It has been back and forth. It should have been debated in several different segments, as it was in the European Parliament. We should have had more scrutiny, discussion, debate, and questions and answers in the Chamber, which we did not have. The Government handled it in a very flippant way. We are totally opposed to that.