Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2016
85. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to amend the Domestic Violence Act to extend eligibility for safety orders to all parties who are or have been in an intimate relationship, regardless of cohabitation, and to provide for emergency barring orders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17037/16]
View answerMany incidences of abuse in dating relationships are offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, including assault, harassment and coercion. The provisions of a statutory definition of dating relationships is problematic. Questions that would arise include issues around when a dating relationship can be said to begin and the behavioural threshold required for a meeting of two people to be classified in such a way. Given the complexities, these relationships have not been included in the General Scheme of the Domestic Violence Bill. However I am seeking legal advice on the issue of including dating relationships in domestic violence legislation.
A proposal in relation to emergency barring orders was included in the general scheme of the Domestic Violence Bill, approved by Government and following legal advice an appropriate provision will appear in the Bill when it is published.
