Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 6, before section 4, but in Part 2, to insert the following new section:

"10.—(1) This section applies to a victim of a sexual offence after a person accused of such offence has been convicted of the offence.

(2) No court shall order that the anonymity of the person convicted of a sexual offence shall be protected where a victim to whom this section applies informs the court that it is the victim's wish that the identity of the offender be publicly disclosed, even where disclosing the identity of the offender may result in the identity of the victim also being publicly disclosed and where the victim confirms to the court an awareness of such risk.".

This amendment concerns the publication of the name of the accused or offender. It would apply particularly in the case of a victim of a sexual offence after a person accused of such offence had been convicted and would be to the effect that no court would order that the anonymity of the person convicted of a sexual offence be protected where the victim to whom this section applies informed the court that it was the victim's wish that the identity of the offender be publicly disclosed, even where such disclosure might result in the identity of the victim also being publicly disclosed and where the victim confirmed to the court an awareness of such risk. The amendment is self-explanatory and I would welcome the Minister's views on it.