I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions numbers 164 to 166 of 30 November 2011, in which I indicated the following:
"The Programme for Government commitment — 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 — will be progressed as soon as possible having regard to the need for consultations and the need to dispose of urgent legislative matters in my Department under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for the State.”
The Law Reform Commission's Third Programme of Law Reform 2008-2014 provides for a general review of the law on domestic violence. I understand that the Commission has commenced its consultations and any recommendations it makes will inform the development by my Department of proposals for further legislative reform in this area.