Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of sentencing. The Taoiseach will know that the Law Reform Commission published a report on sentencing in early 2012 and that last week there was an extraordinary public reaction to a decision by a judge with regard to sentencing in the context of sexual offences. I commend that judge on the speed with which he rectified that decision. I particularly commend the victim, Fiona Doyle, on her great fortitude, courage, tenacity and honesty.

This case and others like it show up the inconsistency in sentencing. Will the new programme of law reform include measures, such as the introduction of sentencing guidelines, to ensure consistency? Could we have a sentencing guideline council to provide monitoring of this area or could we have a permanent court of appeal to deal with some of these matters? Will any of these issues be part of the law reform measures the Government is considering?

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