Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am only here to lend my support to the Bill. I was not present for the debates on any of the other Stages of the Bill. I was interested to hear the comments that have been made. I am quite surprised by them because, with no disrespect to any of our esteemed judges intended, week in and week out cases are raised - either in this House or in the media - and shock, surprise and disgust are expressed at some of the sentences handed down, particularly in the context of their leniency in cases involving sexual violence. In the main, such cases involve women but, obviously, there are those who also relate to children.

This Bill may not be perfect and it may not address the various issues relating to sexual violence and the protection of our children, women and vulnerable men, but it is certainly a bloody good start. The key is to send a message out to the victims of these heinous crimes, including repeat crimes, that we hear them and will start to do something about them. On this basis, I applaud the Minister of State for having the gumption to address this issue in his own capacity and for having got the support not least of the Department of Justice and Equality, but also from the rest of the governing parties. Consequently, I support the Bill. I have read it and I very much welcome it as a start, but a good one, in addressing this issue. I believe - and very many women in this country share my views - that some of the sentences handed down for some of the most heinous crimes against women and children are far too lenient. In the first instance, the Bill will address this.

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