Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I wish to raise a very serious issue. Yesterday in the United Kingdom there was a finding by a court in a case brought by a person currently on the sex offenders register. He claimed his civil and human rights were being violated by the fact that his name could never be removed from the register. The court found this to be the case and said the legislation would have to be examined to loosen the rules regarding the sex offenders register. This ruling will have implications for Ireland and will definitely have implications for Northern Ireland and, as a consequence, the north west. Will the Leader draw the attention of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to this issue and seek an urgent response on whether we will follow what appears to be the direction in the United Kingdom in considering a relaxation of the rules pertaining to the sex offenders register? I am not sure there is a cure for sex offenders. I am on the Council of Europe and I understand the concept of human rights. However, this week a report on sexual assault treatment units was launched by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, which outlined serious facts about people who have been sexually abused and how difficult it is to get people to come forward. Their human and civil rights are also very important.

Last month, I raised this matter on the Adjournment and the issue of working in co-operation in the north west to maximise resources and to minimise the legislative changes on both sides of the Border so that people on the sex offenders' register cannot hide on the other side of the Border. There is no all-island sex offenders' register. The situation has changed and it is very important the Minister works in co-operation with any legislative changes that may be deemed necessary in the UK. I ask that those changes be minimal and that they would be done with the benefit of absolute scientific and other research to underline any changes.