I wish to raise two issues. First, I wish to refer to yesterday's sentence in the Tom Humphries case. It has been pointed out today that this is not a unique issue just because of its high-profile nature. There is a real issue with the sentencing that is being handed down, particularly to people who have been found guilty of sex offences.

Two years ago I introduced to this House the Sentencing Council Bill which sought to bring into practice in Ireland what has been the practice in England and Wales. I refer to a system where a clear range of sentences is provided to the Judiciary. In those jurisdictions the majority of the councils are comprised of the judiciary but they are also representative of a range of stakeholders in English and Welsh society. However, there is accountability when it comes to sentencing. The judge in question must publish and explain the sentence that he or she has handed down. Most importantly, there is consultation with the public on what is an acceptable sentence for a particular category of crime. Clearly, a wide range of people believe that yesterday's sentence was not in keeping with the wishes of Irish society. I want to again put my Bill forward. It has been reintroduced by my colleague in the Dáil, Deputy Jonathan O'Brien. I would like to see the Bill and the council advanced.

I do not mind the Senator raising this matter. I am concerned about reference being made to a particular case because there is still a possibility that an appeal will be lodged by either the DPP or by the person in question. I clearly understand where the Senator is coming from in terms of a discussion and introducing legislation. That is permissible. I would prefer if Members did not specifically refer to the case yesterday or whatever because the matter is out of our jurisdiction. There may be an appeal, which could throw up a different result, lodged either by the DPP or the defendant. The Senator can continue now but I urge him to be careful.

I respect the separation of powers but I am mindful that the CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre was on the RTÉ "Prime Time" television programme last night, a very respected lady, to comment on this issue.

Of course, yes.

If she is able to do so then Oireachtas Members should have the same right.

The Cathaoirleach will know that every week I have raised the issues of remaining community amenities, sporting amenities and farming sectors that have not been properly supported following the serious floods that occurred in the Inishowen Peninsula two months ago. The Cockhill Celtic Football Club, which is a very senior football and community organisation in my part of the world, was devastated by the floods. Two of its pitches were destroyed along with all kinds of amenities and the damage to the tune of hundreds of thousands of euro was done. Even though the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Chief Whip were on the pitch within a few days, two months later the club has no idea if it will get any money or financial assistance from the Government. It is completely unacceptable that a senior sporting organisation, that fields eight different teams and facilitates 300 young people in my community, has been devastated by the floods and left with no financial support from the Government and has received no clarification after two months.

Swan Park in Buncrana is a vital amenity that was at the heart of my community. It has been destroyed. Again, there has been no clarification issued by the Government about whether funding will be provided. The same applies to Glenevin Waterfall. Potato and crop growers have had their lives destroyed and suffered financial losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of euro. Again, the Government has not clarified what will happen. We had a debate here last week but I heard no specific clarification regarding County Donegal even though I thought we were going to get one. There was supposed to be an announcement made yesterday but, again, there has been no clarification of these issues.

I wish to make it clear that I will continue to raise this issue until the communities that have been devastated in my area get the support that they need, be it the community or sporting amenities. Such a situation would not be allowed to happen anywhere else in this State. Now that the cameras have gone the people have been left behind. There is no way a major sporting or community amenity that has been destroyed in one town should be left without a clarification, two months on, on where funding will come from.

The Leader made promises the last time I raised this issue two weeks ago. I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange for a specific Minister to respond to me and tell me what will happen in terms of Cockhill Celtic Football Club, Swan Park and Glenevin Waterfall. Please can I have a specific response to these issues?