Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Nov 1999

Vol. 509 No. 6

Written Answers. - Domestic Violence.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

518 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has considered reviewing and updating the legislation which deals with barring orders; if so, when the review will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21149/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The law on barring orders was the subject of major reform in the Domestic Violence Act, 1996. That Act updated and re-enacted with substantial amendments the law contained in legislation of 1981.

Various issues concerning the protection of persons from violence in the home continue to be reviewed by my Department. The Government has already established the National Steering Committee on Violence against Women which is chaired by Deputy Mary Wallace, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and includes representatives from the key Government Departments, the Garda Síochána and non-Governmental organisations. As part of the process of review the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, 1996 are being exam ined in the light of experience gained in the first few years of its operation. The Law Society, through its law reform committee, and Women's Aid have suggested certain changes to the Act including,inter alia, an extension in the categories of person who are entitled to apply for a barring order. Where changes are found to be feasible and warranted I shall include them in the context of the proposed Family Law Bill that is referred to in the Government's legislation programme.