Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

It is amazing that there are still people in this country who do not realise that in cases of rape, it is the victims who suffer a life sentence. My learned friends say that there are many disadvantages with mandatory sentences. Is it the position that they do not work and, presumably, suspended sentences work better? This matter should be debated in the context of forthcoming justice legislation because it is legislation that expresses the will of the people and should determine the limits of judicial discretion.