Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Similar to Senator Ivana Bacik, I commend all the witnesses on their presentations. Even though I was late, I had the presentations with me to read. I agree with some of the analysis that we can have a panic reaction sometimes to waves of crime but that does not make for good law and we need to be thoughtful. Our committee has a strong track record in that regard, having compiled a report on penal reform. We put a great deal work into its proposals, led by the chairman, and they have not been implemented but, hopefully, they will be implemented. In that light I am concerned about the witnesses' analysis because we have not addressed the penal reform deficits. The challenge for legislators and Government is to strike a balance between the sole rights of the individual and the concerns about protecting the public and, obviously, taking on board the victims' rights. For the benefit of the public listening, will the witnesses outline how they see that balance and their advice to legislators?