Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No 27:

In page 55, line 21, after "effect" to insert "only".

We have discussed the ten-year mandatory sentence for drugs, which has only been implemented in 20% of cases brought before the courts. The section allows a judge to consider facts which may allow him or her to reduce the sentence from the mandatory ten years. I suggest in these amendments that if somebody commits one offence only he or she can be considered for a reduced sentence but if somebody is convicted of a second offence the mandatory sentence would have to be applied. This is the will of the Oireachtas and has been for some time. It allows the Judiciary to consider a reduced sentence if somebody is convicted of a drug offence just once. The word "only" is used for all the areas referred to.