Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

What will the Government do this weekend to protect society from Mr. A, who is walking free? He filled a young girl of confirmation age with drink and had sex with her. That person will be out in society. What will the State do about protecting children from such people?

It seems that the Minister is not in touch with the mood of the people when he says that there is no need to rush serious law. Will the Taoiseach confirm that the House will return next week and deal with this issue? The Labour Party has produced a Bill to plug the hole in the law, as has the Fine Gael Party. Why are all the great people in the Government humming and hawing when Mr. A, Mr. B, Mr. C , Mr. D and others like them could be released into society without the protections in place to safeguard the young children of this country from that type of perversion? It is appallingly and horrifyingly incompetent. Unfortunately, young people will pay the price for this incompetence. What will the Government do about Mr. A? What will it do in respect of the House sitting next week and plugging the hole in the law? We must deal with this issue. We must have some measure of unity in our attempt to protect the young boys and girls from that type of perversion.

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