Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Under the legislation victims are not defined as people who have to live in the country; it could, for example, be an Italian tourist who suffers an assault while in Ireland on his or her holidays. They would be perfectly entitled to avail of the provisions under this Act.

Section 12 deals with offences occurring outside the State and I suspect - although I am interested to hear what the Tánaiste has to say - the Department is concerned that since this part relates to offences committed in other member states, we could have, for example, an Italian living in Rome who has never been to Ireland - although it seems implausible - making a complaint to An Garda Síochána about an offence that took place in Italy. That could be the concern, otherwise it seems a bit unusual. I am, however, interested in the Minister's comments in this regard.