Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I welcome the positive nature of the Minister of State's contribution. There is a broad consensus regarding the need to achieve co-operation, cohesion and coherence in respect of how sex offences are dealt with on both sides of the Border.

It is important to state that this is not a one way street. There have been instances where sex offenders lived quite happily here to escape responsibility for crimes they committed in Northern Ireland and the development of codes of practice and protocols would be important as much for the North of Ireland as for here. The fact there is now a member of the Northern Ireland Executive with responsibility for justice in the form of Mr. David Ford, MLA, allows us to progress this agenda in a way that has not happened previously.

The development of all-island protocols is necessary. In listening to Senator O'Toole, we must acknowledge the work done on child protection protocols by the GAA, which does not get universal acclaim, particularly in Northern Ireland, and which as far as I know has an all-island application and which could be used as a template for the adoption of these measures by other voluntary organisations and other sporting organisations, and even examined by the Governments in both jurisdictions.

On the question of notifications and areas like exclusion orders, the real problems arise with the reality of a border for persons, who have been victims of sex crimes, in how they can be protected. This is where my party would like to see much progress being achieved. There have been fairly high profile situations in the past, with sex offenders finishing sentences and being released. Similar knowledge of when such persons are released in Northern Ireland will help public confidence here and develop better standards.

What time have I remaining?