Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not know of any proposal from Government to introduce mandatory sentencing. This has been a very controversial issue whereby the Oireachtas seeks to remove discretion from judges to evaluate the individual merits of each case. It would have to be done with very careful consideration. The Deputy would have to consider with his own party and with others whether such an approach would command support across the House. I know the Minister of Justice and Equality would have very serious misgivings around mandatory sentencing as a principle. It has not proven particularly effective where it has been introduced. The House would have give it very serious consideration. That is in no way to understate the genuine concern the Deputy has expressed about the increase in violent crime and the need to have effective policing and justice in those cases.

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