Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Acting Chair has forgotten me twice. She should not worry; I am not too sensitive. I will speak to amendment No. 28. It is fairly self-explanatory. It would allow for the sentencing guidelines and information committee that will be set up by the council and which will actually be drafting and disseminating the sentencing guidelines to hold public consultations on draft sentencing guidelines before they are formally adopted. This could take the form of inviting submissions and observations from the public and NGOs working in criminal justice reform.

As I mentioned on Committee Stage, I have drawn from the provisions of the UK's Coroners and Justice Act 2009 which gave the sentencing council for England and Wales a massive public engagement role which has been praised by stakeholders for giving real public ownership of, and confidence in, the management of sentencing policy. This council provides online submission forms, organises community round-table meetings, and engages with judges, magistrates, victims and witnesses. This is all really welcome and turns the drafting process into a collaborative experience, from which we could really benefit. At a time of reform in An Garda Síochána and an increasing focus on community policing and on what it could look like in the future, we cannot do enough to engage with the public and communities with regard to how this process will work.

I hope the Minister of State can accept the amendment. I note that he has said that he cannot and that the committee already has the power to carry out public consultation, but can the Minister of State inform us that it will actually carry out such a public consultation? That is very different from being able to do so. Will the Minister of State clarify that it will carry out a public consultation and make this a collaborative effort?