Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Two votes have been called and therefore we will move on quickly. The next petition is No. P00058/12 from Mr. John Atkinson regarding a change in mandatory sentencing for murder convictions. The committee has had an opportunity to deliberate on this and I propose that the following recommendation be accepted:

The committee notes that the Law Reform Commission is expected to publish a report on mandatory sentences in the coming months. The view of the committee is that publication of the report will present an opportunity for informed debate in regard to public policy in this area. The committee considers that, in the interim, it would be premature for this or any other committee to consider the issue of mandatory sentencing. In the circumstances, the committee has decided to close the petition.

Is that agreed? Agreed.