Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I share the Senator's concerns. Reducing the punishment to a fine or imprisonment dilutes the sanction for such a serious and heinous crime. Imprisonment at least offers some rehabilitation. Any imprisonment for sexual offences should be matched with rehabilitation. To leave the penalty at a fine gives an option for the offender to go scot free. It is not at all adequate. We are either serious about penalising sexual offences, knowing the effects on victims, or we are not.