Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2016
66. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention was drawn to a recent documentary (details supplied); when the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill will be enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34749/16]
View answerI am aware of the documentary referred to by the Deputy which highlighted some of the difficulties encountered by many victims, and victims of sexual offences in particular, in the course of criminal proceedings.
The Government approved the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill in July 2015. This landmark new Bill will introduce for the first time statutory rights for victims of crime. The Bill is being drafted as a priority and I expect to publish it during the current Dáil session.
The Bill will transpose into Irish law Directive 2012/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime fulfilling a commitment in the Programme for Government to enact legislation to strengthen the rights of victims of crime and their families.
At an operational level, arrangements have been put in place to ensure that rights conferred by the Directive are provided to crime victims both within existing legislation and on a non-statutory basis. In practical terms this has meant that most of the rights conferred by the Directive are currently being made available for victims.
