Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It reflects on the excellent contribution Members are making if some have to grandstand to feature in press coverage. I ask the Leader for a debate. I agree with Senators Bacik and Mullen on the law reform report on sentencing. This was brought home to all of us with the situation in Victoria, Australia, where the trial for the murder and rape of the Irish lady, Jill Meagher, has been taking place. A person who had raped 21 times was out on parole, something that could happen in our country, too. We need a debate on sentencing and parole. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House and debate this? I do not agree with Senator Mullen, however, that there should not be mandatory sentencing or that sentencing should be by an executive decision.