Vol. 503 No. 6
239 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures, if any, he is taking to deal with the problem of domestic violence against women; if he will change the law to allow a woman receive a barring order for mental abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10759/99]
I have outlined to the House on numerous occasions the purpose and remit of the National Steering Committee on Violence Against Women. The committee is responsible, inter alia, for the development of a cohesive, multi-agency and multi-disciplinary response to the issue of violence towards women, including domestic violence. The committee issued its first report on 7 March 1999.
As the Deputy may be aware the Domestic Violence Act, 1996 already makes clear that a barring order is made where the court is of opinion that the safety or welfare, which includes physical and psychological welfare, of the person in whose interest the order is made requires it. I think the Deputy will agree that this covers the case raised in his question.
The Deputy may be interested to know that my Department has part funded recent research into the operation of the Domestic Violence Act.
