Vol. 530 No. 4
168 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals he has to enable women to pursue safety, protection and barring orders under the Domestic Violence Act, 1996, using post office box numbers rather than addresses having regard to evidence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4175/01]
The form that proceedings take under the Domestic Violence Act, 1996, for a safety, protection or barring order is determined by rules that are made by the relevant Court Rules Committee with the concurrence of the Minister. For the most part those orders are directed towards the place where the applicant normally resides and it would be a necessary part of the order that that place is identified in the order. I doubt the feasibility of using a post office box number rather than the place of residence of the applicant as the means of ensuring the full protection of the person. However, my Department continues to keep this area of the law under review in consultation with relevant interests. The details of any decisions that may be made for change in the statute law or in the rules of court will be announced in the usual way.
