Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

There is a great deal of common sense in what Senator Cox has said although we are encroaching on section 5 which is related to this issue. My colleague's amendment is very sensible because it distinguishes between peer group and predatory sex, which are fundamentally different. What is wrong with putting into law a clear statement to the effect that while we do not approve of it, a totally different range of offences attaches to it?

I listened to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he spoke on the issue of the €1,000 fine in the other House. He said he did not want working class young men to have to pay €1,000 on the back of a District Court conviction. I pointed out, however, that the current minimum sentence and penalty is €6,000 and-or three months imprisonment. There is no consistency in the Minister's position on our amendment and the minimum penalties that exist. I understand we are in difficult circumstances but we need to return to this because there is a fundamental distinction between the offence of a predatory sex offender and the circumstances of peer group sex.