Seanad debates
Friday, 2 June 2006
Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages.
7:00 pm
Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
The trial, conviction and punishment of offenders is a matter reserved under the Constitution for the judicial arm of the State. We can have a debate on sentencing on another day but very broad discretion has been given to the Judiciary in this legislation to impose a very severe sentence in an appropriate case. Short of that, circumstances must be taken into account.
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