The Deputy refers to the working group chaired by Tom O’ Malley, Senior Lecturer in Law at the National University of Ireland, Galway and member of the Law Reform Commission which was established to examine the adequacy of measures available to protect vulnerable witnesses during the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences.
The working group chaired by Mr O'Malley has now completed its work and I am grateful to the Chair and all of the members of the group including representatives of the Garda Síochána, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Probation Service, the Courts Service and my own Department. I hope to be in position to bring the report to Government shortly.