Ms Orla O'Connor:

The Deputy mentioned the Istanbul Convention. In the current proposal, we are suggesting that instead of a Short Title there be a Long Title that would put the agency in the context of our international and European obligations. We should have a Long Title that includes reference to the Istanbul Convention. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre also recommended that. That is a way of putting it in a wider context.

The Deputy mentioned a number of issues.

Another issue we have been trying to grapple with with regard to what we put in our submission was how we increase the powers of this agency from the current Bill into an obligation for agencies and Departments to fulfil their commitments under the strategy. We know we have an ambitious strategy but we also know that many strategies have not been delivered on. There need to be increased powers for the agency to oblige Departments and public bodies to do that. We are not exactly sure of the legal language for that, but that is something we are raising. It links to the wider point that Dr. Clíona Saidléar was making about how this agency has to have teeth. Otherwise, it will just be a service delivery issue and we will have a strategy that might sit on a shelf.