Responses on European and judicial matters
The Leader says the European bank-debt issue will be debated with a Minister, supports respecting the separation of powers in sexual-offence cases, and undertakes to seek a debate with the Justice Minister on sentencing guidelines.
Why is the Government blaming the HSE for it when the Minister is-----
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We would really appreciate those constructive proposals at any time.
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Absolutely no problem, as we continually do.
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Senator Bacik raised the EU summit. We will have the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Creighton, in here next week.
Senators Bacik, Keane, Healy Eames, Conway, Noone and Norris raised a court case and looked for a debate on sentencing guidelines. I concur with the Cathaoirleach that we must be mindful of the separation of powers. I respect what Senators are saying and how they feel on this case, but we cannot deal with individual cases here. I will try to get the Minister, Deputy Shatter, into the House, as has been requested, to debate the question of sentencing guidelines. A debate on something such as that is probably long overdue.