Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I support the amendment. It is an important point, particularly in the type of crimes to which Senator Bacik referred. I refer to the framework decision of the European Union, which states that, "Each Member State shall safeguard the possibility for victims to be heard during proceedings and to supply evidence". In that context it logically follows that if one is given the right to present evidence, one should have the opportunity to be properly advised and to be legally represented if that is deemed appropriate by the court in particular cases.