Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have a question on criminal law, which is a huge issue. A few speakers mentioned the UK 2004 Act, which I think brought in specialist domestic violence courts. Is there a particular model from the criminal law prosecution strategies there which we might adopt? I was very struck by Ms Martin's statement that the PSNI is collecting all of the data on domestic-violence-related offences. Examination of breaches of barring orders is the only real mechanism for assessing the level of prosecution here. There are so many others but they come under general assault. Have we seen an increase in risk to women and children since the 2002 change to emergency barring orders? Is there some change at which we should be looking in regard to the barring order law? That is really where criminal law and protection against domestic violence is currently located.

Should we look at the Swedish reform of making a specific offence of domestic violence? In terms of court access, there should be 24-7 access to the District Court. There is for criminal prosecutions, but the same mechanism or procedure is not there for domestic violence. Presumably something could be done procedurally through the Courts Service.