In its last Private Members' Bill as Democratic Left, the party has proposed measures to allow legal representation for rape victims in certain circumstances.
Under the present law, a rape victim is a witness for the prosecution solely and is not allowed legal representation at any point in the trial.
According to Democratic Left's spokeswoman on justice, Ms Liz McManus, Ireland and Britain are now unique in Europe for having this kind of system in rape trials.
However, under the Criminal Law Rape (Sexual Experience of Complainant) Bill, 1998, launched yesterday by Ms McManus, the victim would be permitted to have legal representation where the accused sought to have her previous sexual history introduced into the case.
Because Democratic Left does not have Private Members' time in the Dail, the Bill will not be brought before the House until after the party joins with Labour on February 1st, 1999.
A spokesman for the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, said yesterday the Minister would consider the proposals.
He was "positively disposed" towards allowing legal representation for claimants where the accused sought to have his or her legal history introduced, the spokesman added.
Speaking at a press conference in Dublin at the launch of the Bill, Ms McManus said there was no obstacle to immediately enshrining in law the right to legal representation where the defence made such an application.