Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The legislation goes a certain distance to deal with what Deputy Martin Kenny has outlined as well. The Minister can set out under section 5(2) to section 5(4) the types of orders that can be set under this legislation that can be addressed in the preliminary trial hearing, the reasons for doing so, the nature of the offence concerned and the complexities that arise in particular offences. The provisions of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act provide important protections to victims here, which is slightly different from the North. We have seen examples of particular cases where items of clothing were held up and certain things were supposedly brandished in courtrooms. There are protections here whereby that should not happen and is not allowed. One cannot always prevent something happening in a courtroom which should not happen, but there are protections under current legislation to prevent something like that happening. The fact that the Minister can specify orders that are relevant defence or that are indictable under this legislation allows some flexibility that is not specified in the legislation itself.

Overall, the implementation of the O'Malley report and the implementation plan supporting a victim's journey are important in that process as well. It is not just about the criminal procedures and the court process, but the type of supports that are being provided to victims, be it through legal aid or through other supports. It is important that all of these recommendations are implemented as a package. It is not just this legislation that will support victims who are going through very difficult scenarios and where difficult questions are being asked. There will sometimes be scenarios where difficult questions are asked and we cannot always prevent that from happening, but we can do everything we can to ensure the support is available and that victims have that support throughout, not just in the court but beyond that as well.