Joint Committee on Justice and Equality to consider Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime)(Amendment) Bill 2018

The Committee will hear from Deputy Jim O’Callaghan, a member of the Committee who is sponsoring the Private Member’s Bill, and representatives of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland and the Law Society of Ireland.

Ahead of the meeting at 9am in Committee Room 2, Leinster House, Committee Chairman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said: “The purpose of the Bill, as described by the sponsor, is to support victims of sexual violence, gender based violence, or violence in a close relationship. It proposes that this would be possible by providing victims with both information and legal advice at investigation stage by a solicitor funded by the Department for Justice and Equality. Members look forward to hearing how this proposed legislation could assist and support victims of sexual crime and gender based or domestic violence through the courts process, which so many victims find difficult and harrowing.”

Watch the Committee meeting live.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.