Proposed law could make people 'think twice' about character references for sex offenders 

Senator Regina Doherty: 'What I hope it genuinely does is make those people who have given references in the past to maybe think a little bit longer about the references they're giving.' Picture: Gareth Chaney

People who provide character references for convicted sex offenders will have to do so under oath and will face cross-examination, under proposed new laws.

Leader of the Seanad Regina Doherty has published a bill that would end the current practice that allows people to provide character statements in the mitigation of a sexual or violent crime.