CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

 

Opening Remarks by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD

Seanad Eireann

Commencement Matter

I thank the Senator for raising the issue of Domestic Violence in this House. I am conscious of his interest in this issue and of his contribution to the report last October of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality on Domestic and Sexual Violence.

The Government is committed to introduce consolidated and reformed domestic violence legislation to address all aspects of domestic violence, threatened violence and intimidation, in a way that provides protection to victims. The draft General Scheme of the legislation is being finalised in my Department. My intention is that it will be considered by Government shortly after Easter. Following approval by Government of the General Scheme of the Bill, I will forward it to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for pre-legislative scrutiny. That will give an opportunity for further consultation with stakeholders on the Bill, following on from their inputs into the Joint Committee’s hearings in relation to domestic and sexual violence in February 2014. My aim is that the Bill will be enacted this year.

I contributed to a debate in Dáil Eireann in December last year where I said that “domestic violence does not go away”. While domestic violence does not go away completely, we can and must do more to assist those affected by it and to punish those inflicting the pain and misery associated with it. I believe that we have a good structural base with which to work and that we can improve it with the proposed legislation. The Istanbul Convention will also provide for the highest standards to be met in addressing domestic violence.

I intend to bring proposals to Government for approval to sign the Convention this year.

In tackling the difficult issue of domestic violence, legislation can provide a framework for victims and An Garda Síochána. This must be complemented by operational policing on the ground. I understand that the Garda Commissioner has announced plans to develop a system of risk assessment in relation to victims of domestic violence who come to the attention of An Garda Síochána. There are many cases of members of An Garda Síochána extending themselves above and beyond the call of duty to assist victims of domestic violence. However, such incidents are not always straightforward. A risk assessment system, which is tuned to the realities of operational policing, can help An Garda Síochána better protect victims from more serious revictimisation in the future.