Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is concerned that some members of the Garda may not be sufficiently qualified to triage people as to whether they require specialist services, which could create a problem. However, the amendment could be kept as it stands if the words "in consultation with" were added and if it read:

... shall offer the victim information relating to the following:

(a) services providing supports for victims, including, where relevant ...

A GP could be consulted by the Garda in that regard. Failure to accept the amendment would undermine potential services. It is important that we provide it in a legislative form because "services providing support for victims" is too general a phrase. People in the scenario under discussion often fall victim to very general items of legislation which prevent them from taking action. If the Minister of State's concern is that some gardaí are not qualified to make assessments of need, the amendment could be changed further to provide for a qualified person to triage the victim and assess what relevant services are needed. However, the Minister of State's concern is not an argument for undermining the amendment that has been put forward.