Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to speak today. This is the second time in 12 months when legislation has been seen to be flawed. The legislation has affected two of our most vulnerable groups in society, the young and the old. Worse still, in both cases it was known for a number of years that the legislation was flawed.

The Law Reform Commission proposed 11 years ago a defence of reasonable mistake of unlawful carnal knowledge, and it has gathered dust. All Governments since then must stand indicted for the complacency and sheer criminal neglect of our most vulnerable children. The nightmare scenario continues to unfold for the victims of sex predators in this legal debacle. Their unspeakable ordeals are being visited once again in the full glare of media and public attention.

We must try to get the message out to the victims to come forward and give evidence. They should know they will be protected. We must reassure victims that offenders will be kept where they belong — behind bars.

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