Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I welcome yesterday's Supreme Court decision and call on the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to bring forward legislation urgently to take account of the ruling. I am aware of one particular case where a young man met a girl who was drinking with her father in a pub. Relations took place between the young man and the girl, following which he was prosecuted for having sex with a minor. However, the father was never prosecuted for buying drink for his daughter whom he clearly knew was under age, and the pub owner was never prosecuted for having a minor on his premises. The young man was bribed and told that the charges would be dropped if money was paid. He refused to pay as a matter of principle, went to court and fought the case. For his troubles, he received a jail sentence and is now on the sex offenders register.

I welcome yesterday's Supreme Court ruling because of that particular case. There are two sides to every story, as we all know. I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House to debate this matter. The Minister should urgently introduce legislation to take account of that court ruling.