Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise two issues. First, I wish to refer to yesterday's sentence in the Tom Humphries case. It has been pointed out today that this is not a unique issue just because of the high-profile nature. There is a real issue with the sentencing that is being handed down, particularly to people who have been found guilty of sex offences.

Two years ago I introduced to this House the Sentencing Council Bill which sought to bring into practice in Ireland what has been the practice in England and Wales. I refer to a system where a clear range of sentences is provided to the Judiciary. In those jurisdictions the majority of the councils are comprised of the judiciary but they are also representative of a range of stakeholders in English and Welsh society. However, there is accountability when it comes to sentencing. The judge in question must publish and explain the sentence that he or she has handed down. Most importantly, there is consultation with the public on what is an acceptable sentence for a particular category of crime. Clearly, a wide range of people believe that yesterday's sentence was not in keeping with the wishes of Irish society. I want to again put my Bill forward. It has been reintroduced by my colleague in the Dáil, Deputy Jonathan O'Brien. I would like to see the Bill and the council advanced.