Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

The House did not sit on 8 March, which was International Women's Day. This was also the day a young man found guilty of rape walked out of court without a custodial sentence. A young woman in Ennis had to give up her right to anonymity to tell the nation about her horrific case. There was uproar with people from all walks of life commenting on the case and every news programme discussing it. We have had debates on domestic violence and other forms of violence but I would like the House to examine seriously the introduction of a mandatory minimum sentence for rape, not only of women, but also men. It is sad that this young woman had to waive her right to anonymity to seek justice, as she saw it. We owe it to her and other victims of rape to do something about it because we have the power to do so.