Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is mistaking appropriate specialist services as being appropriate specialist medical services. The amendment does not say that. It includes, for example, services providing alternative accommodation. Article 8(2) of the victims directive says that we shall facilitate the referral of victims to victim support services. The implication of the word "shall" in that section of the directive has not yet been discussed here. Leaving that aside, an example of first contact with an appropriate specialist service could be a women's refuge in a case of domestic violence. Psychological support could include having contact details for local counsellors who deal with trauma, rape, sexual violence, assault and so on. That is a specialist service and it would not be needed by every victim. It is not just about medical specialist services, it is about appropriate specialist services. Article 8(1) of the directive states that member states shall ensure victims, in accordance with their needs and the level of harm, have access to confidential victim support services. The wording of the directive is tailored to take account of degrees of need and suggests the types involved. This is required in order to provide guidance to the Garda because, sadly, people who go to it now do not always feel that they receive enough support in those areas. The amendment aims to clear that up. The Minister of State is over-complicating the matter. This amendment can reasonably be accommodated . It is appropriate that, in light of their experience currently, victims would be facilitated in getting that support on first contact.