Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I wish to congratulate the Leader, Senator Donie Cassidy for responding to my request for an all-party motion which is also the expressed wish of Members on all sides of the House. Senator Ivana Bacik was the first to raise this matter in the House. I congratulate him because often in politics, no matter how worthy an issue is or how much all-party support exists, it can be quite difficult to get the agreement of a Department such as the Department of Foreign Affairs. I am delighted that the Seanad has tabled this all-party motion on Íngrid Betancourt. Just this week a number of hostages were released. I hope that this motion can be conveyed to the European Parliament and to the relevant presidencies. President Sarkozy of France is working on this issue. I hope we can follow this over the next few weeks and I hope there will be a successful outcome in the not too distant future.

I wish to bring to the attention of the House the urgent need for consistent sentencing for those convicted of rape and sexual assault. Yesterday's appeal in the Court of Criminal Appeal finally saw Mary Shannon receive justice for the horrific ordeal which she endured and I commend her courage in her quest for justice. This issue of consistency of sentencing has been on the agenda for many years. I appeal to the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to institute debate on this issue.

I also refer to a topic discussed in the House a few weeks ago, the deployment of Irish troops in Chad. I am sure many Members heard former President Mary Robinson speaking on the radio this morning about the lack of security in the camps in Chad, and in particular the lack of safety experienced by many in the camps. I hope the European Ministers will be able to respond with the necessary helicopters and everything else that is needed in order for the Irish mission to be carried out in safety.