New Sexual Offences Bill passed by Dáil
Controversial Government legislation on under-age sex today passed through all stages in the Dáil without a vote.
The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006 secured the majority support of the House except for a number of independent TDs.
The legislation was then sent to the Seanad where Justice Minister Michael McDowell will introduce it to Senators before they debate its provisions.
After over four hours of debate in the Dáil, Leas Ceann Comhairle, Seamus Pattison cited Standing Order 68 and declared that the legislation and its amendments had passed its first four stages.
He adjourned the Dáil until 2.30pm on Wednesday, thus interrupting a planned 10-day June bank holiday recess for TDs.
With a large Government majority in the Seanad, it is likely the Bill will pass its final Oireachtas stages in late afternoon before going to the president for her signature.
Introducing the 15-page Bill in the Dáil earlier, Justice Minister Michael McDowell warned that the Supreme Court’s May 23 judgement had forced the Government to draft emergency legislation which may allow victims to be cross-examined in the witness box by their attackers’ lawyers.
During highly-charged Dáil exchanges, the minister said: “Let nobody in this House believe that this is going to make protection of children easier or the lot of abused children in the criminal justice process or in the courtroom any less agonising.
“On the contrary it will make it significantly more unpleasant for those children.”
As Opposition tried to shout him down, a combative Mr McDowell insisted: “When the frenzy is over, it will be seen that I and my colleagues in Government and the Attorney General have acted competently, honestly, truthfully and with the best interests of children in mind.”
Opposition leader Enda Kenny said during a strong speech that the Government has completely lost touch with the public fury at its competence in allowing the release of convicted sex offenders.
“As the guilty walk free, hope and innocence is crushed in their wake.
“Betrayed once by adults, they have been betrayed again by the state.”
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