Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Judicial Council Bill is due to introduce a sentencing committee. The Minister is proposing that it is given the power to draw up sentencing guidelines.

On penalties for incest, brought up by my good friend, Senator Conway, the issue arose during Report Stage of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015, which intended to increase the penalties for incest committed by females up to a maximum of life imprisonment. However, Deputies voted against that proposed increase and a maximum sentence for females.

I take on board the comments made by Senator Norris. Grooming is a separate offence and the investigating authorities would have recognised that. If a woman has not consented then no offence has been committed by her. The Senator asked why I am here, and he is quite right to wonder what flooding has to do with this, but it is my legislation. Before I came into the House I met so many people from all areas of the country, but one person in particular from the Mullingar area, who had brought this matter to a number of Members of the House and sought their support. I took the time to meet with her and we formulated this legislation.