Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Again, I ask that this issue not be dealt with on its own in this Bill. There is provision in existing legislation dealing with such crimes as incest whereby the anonymity of the accused is always retained, even where the charge is dropped. This is to protect the relationships of persons involved in the alleged incident. Regarding charges of rape and sexual assault, no details are revealed when a person is charged but if he or she is convicted, the name of the victim may be identified if that person chooses to remove anonymity. That is the law as it stands. In 1998 my Department published a discussion document on sexual offences which referred to the issue of anonymity. We are now well advanced in preparing sexual offences legislation and one thing we want to do is liaise with groups interested in the issue which is not an easy one. It is very complex. We would like to have it considered in more detail rather than have it dealt with in isolation in this legislation.