Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome this opportunity to make a brief contribution to this important debate. It is important to understand the complexities of this issue. Such complexities were emphasised in correspondence from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties which we all received today. The correspondence states that in a better deal the Irish Council for Civil Liberties offers constructive alternatives designed to genuinely enhance respect for the human rights of victims in the criminal justice system. I record that because it is important to acknowledge that is the type of representations we have received.

I listened to all the contributions and will continue to do so. I will not repeat some of the points that were made. It is important to emphasise our strong support for the victims of crime. Many people in all communities have been victims of crime; we have all encountered elements of crime. It is important the Minister understands the need to deal with these issues.

Some Members will know I am from Tallaght. A parent from Tallaght has campaigned for justice for the past 15 years. The Ceann Comhairle will be aware of this case because he was kind enough to look at this file when he was Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. This man's son, Kevin Reilly, died as a result of being stabbed and his father did not feel he got justice. This case emphasises the need for victims of crime to believe that the Government and its agencies support them. It is important to make that point.

Provision is made for a victim support unit in the court house in Tallaght, the provision of which is important. I have campaigned strongly in recent times for the redevelopment of the Garda station in Tallaght. I have been told that when it is redeveloped it will also include a new court house. I hope the Minister will convey to his senior Minister that I am strongly of the view that in all such facilities, and certainly in those in my constituency, proper provision should be made for a safe place where victims of crime can talk to counsellors. Many improvements have been made in recent times with gardaí reaching out to crime victims, corresponding with them are making an attempt to tell them what is going on. It is important that should happen in all communities.

I wish the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, well. It is important he knows that he has support across the House for the work he is doing. I am sure even those who give out about him sometimes will understand the great work he is doing. His dual approach of legislative and administrative measures will improve victims' experience of the criminal justice system and will assist in holding the perpetrators of serious offences to account for their actions, something that is of interest not only to victims but to the community in general. The Minister's approach will achieve this and will do so without involving the criminal justice agencies in the bureaucratic nightmare that would result if this House were to accept other proposals.

Reference has been made and no doubt will made later in the debate to the restorative justice initiative. I am proud that such a project has been based in Tallaght under the leadership of Mr. Peter Keeley, a local man who became involved in that initiative. The Ceann Comhairle took an particular interest in this initiative when he was Minister. Judge McDonald has also been very supportive. When I was a member of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, I made the point that this initiative should be rolled out to other areas; I am sure I would have the support of Deputy Shatter on that point. It is important we understand that when it was established in March 2007 it was an attempt to deal with victims of crime and those who committed crimes in a different way. I hope that as we continue to seek innovative ways to deal with crime, that the restorative justice initiative will receive the funding it requires and will rolled out to the rest of the country because it is important we do that.

I appreciate the short time the Chair has allowed me to make this contribution. I look forward to supporting the Minister. Having regard to the points made from the Opposition benches, we now have serious proposals for legislation. People are entitled to make their political points, with which I have no problem. I wish them well as they go about that business. It is important for communities and for victims of crime that this legislation, when it is properly introduced, will be passed. I look forward to supporting such legislation.

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