Parliamentary Question addressed to the Minister for Justice and Equality

 

As I have indicated previously in response to questions on this issue, Ireland supports, in principle, the aims and terms of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. However, before putting the question of signing and ratifying the Convention to Cabinet, the legislative and administrative changes that might be required to implement the Convention must be established.

 

Consultations with relevant Government Departments and State agencies in relation to articles of the Convention which might impact on their areas of responsibility are now being undertaken .

In addition, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality have recently held public hearings to examine the issues of domestic and sexual violence with a view to compiling a report with recommendations on what measures can be put in place to reduce such violence.

 

My Department is already considering a wide range of proposals including proposals for reform from voluntary sector organisations and the recommendations from the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee will also be considered when it becomes available. The development of these proposals will result in the consolidated and reformed domestic violence legislation promised by this Government to address all aspects of domestic violence, threatened violence and intimidation, in a way that provides protection to victims.