Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
963. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address recent criticisms regarding the Criminal Justice Act as it related to the appropriateness of compensation as a mitigating factor in sexual assault sentencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17629/13]
View answerIt would appear that the Deputy's question relates to the Martin Tansey Memorial Lecture on 10 April last entitled "Throw Away the Key: Public and Judicial Approaches to Sentencing - Towards Reconciliation" and specifically, references made to section 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993. This provides for the making of a compensation order (on application or otherwise) against a convicted person by the court instead of or in addition to dealing with the person in any other way, unless it sees reason to the contrary. This was one of a range of topics relating to sentencing discussed in the course of the lecture.
In September 2012, I announced a strategic review of penal policy. A working group is carrying out this review which will examine all aspects of penal policy, including sentencing. I expect the group to report later this year. The speech delivered last week is a useful addition to the current debate on sentencing. I am also awaiting a report from the Law Reform Commission on the issue of mandatory sentencing and will not be making any decisions on sentencing policy until I receive both these reports.
