Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The criminal law (sexual offences) Bill is due for this year. I do not have a publication date for the criminal justice (victims' rights) Bill. Arising from yesterday's questions about the horrific case in the newspapers, I am committed that we should have a discussion here in the Chamber about Deputies' views on the future working of the courts system, and that will take place. The Minister for Justice and Equality has established a group to examine penal reform, which includes sentencing. That committee is doing its work at the moment. It might be appropriate to have an interim report from them as part of the discussions that might indicate Members' views.

It is in everyone's interest that we have a system that works effectively. I note there has been a request in the media at least that I should meet Ms Doyle, the courageous victim involved, in this regard. I would be quite willing to meet Ms Doyle and to hear her view, as a victim of unspeakable horror, to get her perspective on how a victim would perceive the court system to be working. I cannot, of course, comment on the judge in question or on the sentence issued but I am very happy to meet Ms Doyle at a convenient time.

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