Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I find it ironic that we are discussing this Bill dealing with fundamental justice issues while the Government is floundering owing to the High Court's decision yesterday to release a 41 year old man serving a sentence for having sex with an under age girl. That is a disgrace. Any justice system that does not support the victim is out of touch with the people and deserves to be challenged. Therefore, I challenge all involved in this debate. I challenge the Government, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who should be sacked, the members of the legal establishment, who were paid thousands of euro of taxpayers' money, and successive Governments. They have failed this child and our citizens. The original three-year sentence was a disgrace. I wonder at times what planet our Judiciary is living on. I raise these serious matters because I feel the voiceless are not heard. I will support the rally at the gates of Leinster House on Friday.

The purpose of the Bill is to create a comprehensive register of sentences so sentencing norms can be assessed, and to introduce greater transparency to the sentencing process within the criminal justice system. The Bill details the information that will be provided in the register, which will be a public document, with statutory right of access for certain categories of person and organisation. It also places a statutory duty on the Courts Service to maintain the register to a high standard. These are the main issues addressed in the Bill.

We must have laws. We must have a justice system that looks after its citizens in a fair and impartial manner and, in particular, protects and defends the rights of children from sexual abuse. Above all, our justice system must have the confidence and trust of our people. At present, it does not have that trust. It is important to listen to the voice of the people. I urge all Members to support a proper and effective justice system.

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