Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----in order to combat crime whether in urban or rural areas.

Senator Bacik called for a debate on policing and mentioned that the Garda Commissioner was before the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality yesterday for a number of hours. A number of the points that have been raised in this House were actually made at that meeting. I suggest that Members look at the minutes of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. They may get answers to a number of questions that have been posed.

Senator Bacik raised the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill. I understand that we will probably have it in this House in the next few weeks. The Government is drafting quite a number of amendments to the Bill and I hope to have it through this House by Christmas. I am not saying that will happen but I am hopeful that it will.

Senator Bacik is attending a conference on gender equality in the Abbey Theatre today. There are a number of others who I would like to send to it. They would be well qualified judging by their appearances here in this House.