Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
423. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which the sexual violence reform recommendations that a person (details supplied) was due to report on in December 2018 and then December 2019 will be published before the implementation of a new programme for Government; the reason for the delay in the publication of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5331/20]
View answerThe Deputy refers to the review examining the adequacy of measures available to protect vulnerable witnesses during the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences, to help ensure the best quality evidence is available to the jury in making their decision, while respecting the dignity of the victim and their right not to be re-victimised by the investigation or trial process itself. It is examining the entire legal process around sexual offences, from the initial reporting of an offence through to the end of any court proceedings. The review is particularly concerned with the treatment of complainants and vulnerable witnesses throughout this process.
The recommendations of the review when complete will be given very careful consideration alongside the recent work of the Law Reform Commission on Consent in Rape Law.
I appreciate the Deputy's concern in relation to the time this process has taken. However it is important that these complex and sensitive issues are considered carefully. I am grateful to the members of the group particularly the chair Mr Tom O’ Malley, Senior Lecturer in Law at the National University of Ireland, Galway and member of the Law Reform Commission who is widely acknowledged as the leading expert in this area. The working group includes representatives of the Garda Síochána, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Probation Service, the Courts Service and my own Department.
While it was unfortunately not possible for the working group to complete its work the before the end of 2019, I can say that the process is now at the very final stages and I expect to be in a position to publish it very shortly.
