Next week, the National Women's Council and the Rape Crisis Network will hold a major seminar on domestic violence which will coincide with the launch of Europe's largest ever study on violence against women. In the past, the Minister for Justice and Equality has told this House that he is reviewing all domestic violence legislation. I wonder if the Government has any update on when it proposes to bring forward legislative proposals on domestic violence.

Work is under way to reform and consolidate the Domestic Violence Act 1996. It is planned that the reformed legislation will include provisions on emergency barring orders and safety orders. These reforms are needed to enable Ireland to ratify the Council of European Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, which is known as the Istanbul convention.

The general scheme will contain provisions necessary to give effect to the EU regulation on mutual recognition of protection measures in civil matters. The scope of the provisions to be included in the reformed legislation is still under negotiation with a number of Departments. Once agreement has been reached, the general scheme will have to be considered by the Office of the Attorney General before being submitted to the Government for consideration. It is anticipated, therefore, that the process will take some time, as will the process of drafting the consolidated Bill. The aim is to publish the general scheme before the summer recess.