asked the Minister for Justice if he has considered the report of the Law Reform Commission on reform of the laws dealing with rape; if it is now intended to amend existing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
32.
Written Answers. - Law Reform Commission Report.
12.
asked the Minister for Justice whether or not he has considered the interim report from the Law Reform Commission in relation to our rape laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 32 together.
I would refer the Deputies to the reply I gave to a Parliamentary Question on this subject on 14 October last (Dáil Debates, Vol. 374, Cols. 111 and 112). As I anticipated in that reply, the Law Reform Commission have since published a Consultation Paper on Rape.
That paper does not embody the Commission's final proposals. Its object, as the introduction to the paper states, is to "stimulate reaction among interested sections of the public to the Commission's initial and tentative conclusions" prior to the preparation of their final Report.
As I have already indicated to the House, I would wish to have the benefit of the Commission's final views and recommendations before considering what changes, if any, there should be in the law on rape. When the Commission's Report is received it will be considered by my Department as a matter of urgency.