Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:164. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the main policy initiatives undertaken by her Department since 27 June 2020; and her main priorities for 2021. [2089/21]
View answerThursday, 14 January 2021
Questions (164)
Written answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that since my appointment as Minister, I have prioritised a number of issues, including the tackling of sexual and domestic violence, the reform of family law, and digitalisation of the justice sector, in particular. Key actions I have taken since my appointment as Minister include:
- Published the findings of the O'Malley Review and secured Government approval for an implementation plan to give effect to its recommendations for Tackling Sexual Violence and building a Victims Centred Approach to protect Vulnerable Witnesses in the Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Offences;
- Secured Government approval for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (The Lanzarote Convention)
- Published the heads of a new family law bill to overhaul and modernise family law and the courts;
- Launched a public consultation on Spent Convictions policy;
- Enacted the Civil and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 to provide for greater digitisation in court proceedings;
- Re-launched the No Excuses awareness campaign to highlight sexual harassment and violence;
- Commenced the Gaming and Lotteries Act 2019;
- Launched new strategy to help reduce recidivism by supporting employment options for people with past convictions, 'Working to Change - social enterprise and employment strategy 2021-2023';
- Published the results of a comprehensive public consultation and comparative research on Hate Crime Legislation;
- Published Terms of Reference for a review of Part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017;
- Announced Jobs Stimulus investment for An Garda Síochána, Courts Service and Irish Prison Service projects;
- Published the General Scheme of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill;
- Secured Government approval to criminalise distribution of intimate images without consent, which has now been enacted as the Harassment and Harmful Communications Act 2020, known as Coco's Law;
- Worked to ensure operational cross-border cooperation in light of Brexit; and
- Published the Hamilton Report on economic crime and corruption, and commenced work on an Action Plan to tackle these issues, which will be published in the New Year.
I am in the process of finalising the Strategy Statement for my Department, which will set out the actions we will take in 2021 to:
1. Tackle crime, preserve national security and transform policing;
2. Improve access to justice and modernise the courts system;
3. Strengthen community safety, reduce reoffending, support victims and combat domestic, sexual and gender based violence;
4. Deliver a fair immigration system for a digital age; and
5. Accelerate innovation, digital transformation and climate action across the justice sector.
In preparing the final draft and plan, officials have engaged with key stakeholders seeking input on priorities and associated actions. We have consulted with all of our key agencies and bodies, the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, other Government departments, along with inviting submissions from members of the public.
The plan and strategy will be launched and published on the Department's website, setting out in specific detail, policy priorities, initiatives, consultation timelines and legislative timeframes.