Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The Deputy raised an occupier's right to defend his own home. It is the intention of the Government to deal with that in the forthcoming criminal law miscellaneous provisions Bill. I have indicated to the House my views on that issue and have pointed out that the difficulties that we face arise, as the Law Reform Commission pointed out, from legislation tendered to this House in 1997 which cast upon people the obligation to retreat. The Deputy was more familiar with that legislation than I was, as it was put through on his watch.

No legislation is promised to take away functions from the Departments dealing with the various aspects of domestic violence and centralise them in one Department. Domestic violence covers many issues. It is not proposed, for example, that the funding and provision of hostels for victims of domestic violence be transferred to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

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