Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for his remarks about Cosc. Since its establishment, Cosc has spent approximately €280,000 on an awareness campaign. It encourages and liaises with complainants and non-governmental organisations in this area. Europe-wide research on attrition rates shows that Ireland's reporting rate ranked in the middle of the range. The research found that Ireland is similar to England, Wales, Scotland and Sweden, in the sense that most attrition takes place in the early and middle stages of the investigation. That happens for a number of reasons. If non-governmental organisations, including Rape Crisis Network Ireland and others, wish to make suggestions and recommendations, they will be examined in the context of any legislative or policy change that may be necessary. It is important to emphasise that while there may be fluctuations in rape convictions, or in rape cases coming before the courts, in some instances offenders are charged with sexual offences other than rape.

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