Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

However, it does mark a real achievement by the Irish Government and Irish negotiators and is a sign of the solidarity of the other member states of the EU who have stood by the principle of the backstop. The case for a people's vote on a second referendum in Britain has become much stronger because of the unlikelihood of this agreement passing. I echo the comments of my colleagues who have pointed out that it would be very helpful from an Irish perspective to have the Stormont institutions up and running and to have Sinn Féin members taking their seats in Westminster because that would enable a much stronger voice in terms of Irish interests to be heard in Britain. That is really important.

Let me raise the recent controversy around reports of proceedings in a rape trial that has been concluded. Without speaking in any way about the trial, may I bring it to the Leader's attention that Tom O'Malley, a leading expert from the National University of Ireland, Galway, is currently chairing a review commissioned by the Minister for Justice and Equality on practice and procedure in the trial of rape and sex offences. That review is due to conclude at the end of December.

I welcome the holding of a debate in the Seanad on the recommendations of that review because one of the considerations that I am sure the reviewers will take on board is the need to challenge sexist assumptions and stereotypes that still tend to be made in the conduct of rape trials and to ensure that our laws and practices do not support such stereotypes and such outdated views. That is an important point in the wake of that controversy.