Ivana Bacik (Independent)

The real fear is that there will be even more required. If Anglo Irish Bank keeps demanding more money from us, it will turn out that an orderly wind-down would have been a far better and more cost-effective way of dealing with this zombie bank.

I agree with Senator McDonald that this is an issue of justice as much as of finance. People want to see accountability and feel, in particular, that those who ran the banks which now require the largest bail-out from the taxpayer should face justice.

I also request a debate on the prosecution of sex offences. We had a good debate yesterday on the issue of domestic violence and I see in today's newspapers a welcome announcement by the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Fachtna Murphy, that he is establishing a new central sexual crimes management unit to ensure there will be a better rate of prosecution of sex offences. It is a major concern to those working in this area that the rate of prosecution of reported sex offences is so low. There is a low rate of reporting of sex offences, but even of those that are actually reported, few are proceeded with. I am delighted the Garda is establishing this unit, but it is scandalous that it has taken it so long to do so. The Commissioner said the new unit was prompted by the Ryan and Murphy reports, but it should not have required that. There are still serious questions to be answered about the failure to investigate known convicted sex offenders, such as former priest Bill Carney who was profiled in a recent BBC "Newsnight" programme. I welcome the initiative, but it is overdue.

I also seek a debate on alternatives to imprisonment. I will facilitate an Irish Penal Reform Trust briefing today for all Members in Room A in Leinster House at 12 o'clock at which invited guests will examine the Fines Bill and discuss the need to ensure reform of our sentencing system.