Robert Troy
Question:408. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence will be ratified. [54185/18]
View answerTuesday, 15 January 2019
Questions (408)
Written answers
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to implement the Istanbul Convention as a significant legal instrument in the fight against domestic and sexual violence and ratifying the Convention is a Government priority.
The Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018 is the final legislative action required to enable Ireland to ratify the Istanbul Convention. This technical piece of legislation provides for individuals who commit particular offences abroad being liable to be prosecuted under Irish law. These include offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 and the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990, as well as murder and manslaughter. This Bill passed second stage in the Seanad on 18 December and the Minister's aim is that the legislation will be enacted speedily to ensure ratification of the Istanbul Convention in early 2019.
The ratification of the Istanbul Convention will send an important message that Ireland will not tolerate violence against women and domestic violence, and is committed to protecting and supporting victims of this violence.