Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 June 2016
100. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 54 of 26 May 2016, if she intends to introduce legislation to provide that where an Irish sign language interpreter cannot be present for a court hearing involving a deaf defendant, the proceedings must be suspended until an interpreter is present. [14414/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, and the conduct of any case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question Number 54 of 26 May 2016 every effort is made to source interpreters when required by the courts. However, this cannot always be guaranteed as sign language interpreting and, in particular, Irish sign language interpreting is a very specialised skill. Despite the best efforts of Courts Service staff, an interpreter may not always be available at short notice and, in these instances, a case is generally put back to a later date to allow more time to arrange a sign language interpreter.
As the Deputy will also be aware, my Department is currently progressing a three-phase consultation process with a view to developing a new Disability Inclusion Strategy. Phase 2, which focused on agreeing high-level objectives for the Strategy, was completed at the end of 2015. Phase 3 will involve agreeing specific actions with timescales to deliver on each of the high-level objectives. This will commence shortly and I expect to have a set of draft actions for the Strategy for publication shortly. The consultations on this draft will include consideration by the National Disability Strategy Steering Group and, as with Phase 2, a series of regional consultation meetings. The Strategy will then be revised as necessary and submitted to Government for final approval. Issues in relation to the Deaf Community have featured strongly in the consultation process to date and I intend that the new Disability Inclusion Strategy will respond credibly to the issues raised, including making a real difference in relation to facilitating the use of Irish Sign Language and ensuring that public bodies provide Irish Sign Language users with Irish Sign Language interpretation when availing of their statutory services.
