Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I, too, am glad to speak to the Bill. I thank Deputies Daly and Quinlivan, as well as Lee in Deputy Daly's office.

The consequences of crimes are not solely confined to victims and perpetrators. Extended families and society are also affected. Restorative justice is a way of giving both victims and offenders a safe platform that is mediated and impartial to try to address the harm done by the offence. Victims can talk about how the crime affected them and their lives as human beings. They can express their anger and frustration, all in a safe, non-threatening and voluntary process that perhaps even provides some closure. They can even seek apologies from the offender all of which helps victims to feel recognised. Restorative justice gives an offender an opportunity to make reparation to the victim, to learn from the bad decisions made, and to show a commitment not to repeat the behaviour, which in turn has a beneficial effect on the number of those reoffending.

Our courts and prison systems are currently groaning under the weight of cases and penal sentences. The Bill and its amendments provide much-needed clarity to the referral process for restorative justice which, when applied throughout the criminal justice process, will improve closure for victims, reduce penal sentences where applicable, and ease the strain on our overstretched courts and prison systems. I am delighted to ask the House to support the Bill.

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