Domestic violence judgments register
Paul McAuliffe welcomed Cabinet approval of Jennie’s Law, prompted by Jennifer Poole’s family learning only in court about a murderer’s previous domestic-violence convictions. The Taoiseach confirmed approval of the Domestic Violence (Judgments) Register Bill 2026 and promised to advance it quickly.
I understand that Cabinet today approved the domestic violence judgment register, or Jennie's law. It was only a matter of months after Jennifer Poole's death that Jason came to the House and discussed with me, the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, and Senator O'Loughlin the shock of their family when they heard in court that the person who murdered their sister had previous convictions for domestic violence. They were not aware of that and nor was Jennifer. The legislation hopes to give families and partners access to previous domestic violence judgments. I appreciate the progress we have made on this. I ask the Taoiseach to do everything in his power to ensure the legislation is passed through the House as quickly as possible.
I hope the Chief Whip will be of assistance and I also hope that across the House and the justice committee, where there is a lot of agreement on this Bill, we will all work together to ensure that Jennifer Poole and her family will be the last to not know about previous domestic violence judgments against partners.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy and pay tribute to him for the role he played in advancing this issue and the work he has done with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. This is an issue the Deputy has championed for quite some time, with Jason Poole and others. The Government approved the Domestic Violence (Judgments) Register Bill 2026 today. The Minister brought it to Cabinet. It will provide for judgments in respect of those convicted of domestic violence against a former partner or partner to be included on a public register. We will seek to get the Bill through the House as quickly and efficiently as possible. The Chief Whip is very much focused on doing that. It shows that Members of the House and backbenchers generally can play a significant role in getting legislation through. This is one that matters to many families.