Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government needs to strengthen public confidence in the prosecution of rape and other sexual offences. Unfortunately, it is the case that some damage has been done to public confidence in these very important prosecutions. The Government needs to concentrate on a number of specific areas. First, we in this House and the Seanad introduced a new definition of "consent" last year. This needs to be further advanced in order that the public be made aware of it. Second, we in Fianna Fáil put forward in legislation the proposal that we should have a system whereby when complainants make complaints, they are given some support by way of a solicitor funded by the State and available through the auspices of, say, the local rape crisis centre, which could advise them as to what will be involved in making that complaint and in the trial process. Very many complainants find the process harrowing. Obviously, any criminal trial will be an adversarial process and will be difficult for individuals, but we can provide greater levels of support. I ask the Minister to consider this in the review.

See this speech in context