Gender-based violence debate
The Taoiseach said a broader debate on gender-based violence and suspended sentencing had merit, but not on an individual case. He repeated that the Business Committee could arrange such a debate, and Deputy Bríd Smith welcomed that prospect.
If it is any consolation, I often feel the Business Committee seems to be one of the most important things around here.
I thank the Members who have raised a number of issues. I thank Deputy Bacik for raising the very serious issue of gender-based violence. I fully understand and comprehend that women are exhausted, fed up, angry and frustrated. Her suggestion regarding the issue of suspended sentencing has real merit. Trying to find a vehicle to consider how best to explore that is likely to be the role of the Judicial Council and sentencing guidelines, but perhaps the Minister and I will reflect and engage with the Deputy on that.
I, too, was horrified by the "Prime Time Investigates" programme on horses. I have no difficulty with a debate being scheduled. I do not think it was flagged at the Business Committee this week.
I am happy to try to arrange that.
I need to be very careful in responding to Deputy Bríd Smith. The point I was making in relation to legal processes was not in respect of any individual judge; it was in relation to a section I quoted from the legislation which talks about the role of the DPP and the time period that elapses. That constraint is certainly not in any way, shape or form linked to a judge's retirement or otherwise.
On the migration pact, I am not sure Deputy Mattie McGrath will ever be satisfied with how we decide to take this forward but we did decide last week to give more time to it this week. As a Government, we committed to providing every Member of the Dáil who wished to speak on the migration pact an opportunity to do so and that there would not be a guillotine. We provided additional time, and that debate is to happen today. We hope to bring the matter to a vote in the Dáil tomorrow.
I thank Deputy Mac Lochlainn for raising a logical and fair question. We hope to have the vote tomorrow. We will work out the time with the Deputy but it will probably be after lunch. Deputy Bernard Allen was a former colleague of many in this House. He served my party, the people of Cork and the people of Ireland with great distinction for 30 years. He has passed away and a number of people, including me, will wish to attend that funeral tomorrow. I hope we can have the vote later in the afternoon.
Comment on this
The Taoiseach has not commented on whether he agrees to a debate on the Natasha O'Brien outcome and all of its implications relating to against women in this country. It is imperative that we have such a debate before the summer. Whatever rules might be imposed as to what we can or cannot say about judges, we need that debate.
Comment on this
I am happy to be helpful. I said what I said not because I do not care, but because I do. We cannot have a debate in this House on an individual case where legal proceedings may not yet have concluded. It is a different matter if the House would like to have a broader debate on gender-based violence, a zero-tolerance strategy and the likes. That could be raised at a meeting of the Business Committee and the Government would respond positively.
Comment on this
Yes, please. There are six and a half hours tomorrow.
Comment on this
Question put: "That the proposed arrangements for this week's business be agreed to".
Do you agree with this result?