Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
528. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the Study on Familicide and Domestic and Family Violence Death Reviews to Government, especially plans around implementation of its recommendations and further steps arising from the reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34220/23]
View answerThe Study on Familicide and Domestic and Family Violence Death Reviews addresses a very difficult but very important subject.
Most of us cannot begin to understand the impact of something like this unless we have lived through it and I would like to express my gratitude to the families who engaged in the process leading up this report and for giving of themselves and their time.
We really needed to hear that lived experience to understand where the system is working and, more importantly, where it is not working.
Fundamentally, of course, we want to try to prevent such incidents from happening as much as possible. But, where they can’t be prevented, we want to ensure the whole system responds appropriately to ensure that individuals and communities are supported.
As the Deputy is aware, the report has been published. It is now being examined by my Department. We will work closely with families in taking forward this work and I will announce further details in the autumn.
The report itself is comprehensive and far reaching, containing a large number of recommendations of varying degrees of complexity.
A number are already being progressed through my Department’s work to tackle domestic abuse and protect victims. Others will require further examination by three new groups that will assist in taking this work forward.
A cross-functional Interdepartmental Group (IDG) will be established by my Department to examine how to bring forward, if suitable, other recommendations contained in the study, including through our implementation of the Third National Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) Strategy.
In addition, and to assist in the examination of cross-cutting recommendations, a small advisory group of relevant NGOs will be established for consultation as part of the implementation process.
I have also committed to an advisory committee drawn from the families of victims who will work with my Department on the recommendations. There are recommendations that will require us to work with the families to see how we can deliver what the intention behind the recommendation was in a way that works for everyone and I look forward to continued engagement with the families as we progress this.
