Ms Catherine Ryan:

I want to supplement some of Mr. McDaid comments. I am the editor of an internal publication in the Legal Aid Board called Legalesewhere we look at different issues and our latest publication looked at the issue of representation of complainants in rape and sexual assault cases. In conjunction with that, we provided a comprehensive document looking at the legal issues that arise in those cases, some of which are very technical.

The Deputy asked why we are not getting some of those complainants at an early stage, or a stage at which we can give advice. Part of my research involved engagement with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and that was one of the issues that I discussed with representatives of the centre. It was in one of the papers that they submitted to us. It is partly to do with the fact that complainants may get advice from the centre. Complainants are getting advice from some other outlets and may not always come to us for representation until they are in court and the net issue of sexual history is before the court. While it is certainly something the board and I are interested in promoting, I am not sure what avenues are there for the victims to whom we can afford available services. We are keen to provide that service and we have specialised solicitors.