Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Most important, the "original" sections of the Fine Gael scheme do not even require legislation in Ireland. It is the Government's aim — through the Garda Síochána, in particular, and also through the national crime victims helpline, which is supported and promoted as a first port of call for victims of crime by the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime — that victims of crime should have access to the services they need. The helpline is one of the many NGOs supported by the commission, which provides support and assistance for all victims of crime. The services that victims can expect from the criminal justice system are detailed in the victims' charter, which is now being revised by the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime. In saying that, I wish to make it clear that I am completely open to any proposals that have the effect of furthering these aims and even though New Zealand has had victims legislation going back to 1987, it appears that there are still issues that need to be addressed there, as indicated by the Justice and Electoral Committee's report of its inquiry into victims' rights in 2007. The conclusion was that the Act, which is replicated in the Bill before the House, should be reviewed six years on. The committee has called for a review and change of some of the sections Fine Gael has replicated in its Bill. That illustrates the complexity of the topic.

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