Domestic violence legislation
Deputy McDonald seeks a date for pre-legislative scrutiny of consolidated domestic violence legislation and the Istanbul Convention Bill. The Tánaiste says the legislation is in the Seanad, signing the convention is intended by year-end, and the legislation should be available soon.
I wish to mention the consolidated domestic violence legislation which I have raised consistently in the House.
This Government and the previous one made repeated commitments to bring forward such legislation.
Can the Tánaiste give us a specific date for when the heads of Bill for the criminal justice (Istanbul Convention) Bill will be ready for pre-legislative scrutiny?
Comment on this
The domestic violence consolidated legislation the Deputy mentioned is in the Seanad and I would like to see it go through that House as quickly as possible. I was very pleased to introduce that important Bill.
The Government is working closely with the Departments of Justice and Equality and of Health to deal with one issue that has arisen in respect of signing the convention. It is intended to sign the convention by the end of this year. The legislation should be available soon.