Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

I wish to share my time with Deputies Ring and Shatter. The Victims Charter and Guide to the Criminal Justice System 1999 committed this State to giving victims of crime a central place in the criminal justice system, yet after nine years we are still waiting for legislative reform to establish these principles. Last week outside this Chamber we had much trumpeting from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform of a major new initiative for victims of crime. I note from his press release he talks about a new groundbreaking Bill to be drafted and presented to the Oireachtas by spring of next year. That is some ground breaking. After ten years we may have legislation on the books. This is the type of groundbreaking attitude of a Government so jaded, detached and arrogant that it favours the press conference and the creation of an impression of rolling up its sleeves and getting on with work. I also note from the Minister's release last week that he makes much of his Department's disbursement of funds. We are supposed to applaud the Minister and his Department because they have allocated €2.5 million to groups engaged in providing support to victims of crime.

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