Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 6, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following:

"PART 2TREATMENT OF VICTIMS

4.—(1) Any person who deals with a victim (for example, a member of the judiciary, lawyer, member of court staff, member of an Garda Síochána or other official) shall—

(a) treat the victim with courtesy and compassion, and

(b) respect the victim's dignity and privacy, save that nothing contained herein shall in any way infringe the constitutional rights of an alleged offender or of an offender.

(2) A victim has the right to be informed as fully as possible—

(a) of his or her rights and of the remedies available to the victim,

(b) of his or her role in the criminal justice process and with regard to criminal proceedings and of the progress made in investigating his or her complaint and in the processing of any criminal prosecution arising from such complaint,

(c) of the availability of health services and social services or other appropriate assistance or prevention services through which he or she may obtain such medical, psychological, social care or help as he or she may require.

(3) A victim has the right, insofar as resources are available—

(a) to such medical, psychological and social care or help as he or she may require and to such other assistance or services capable of meeting his or her needs for shelter and support or for referral to other services better suited to provide him or her with assistance,

(b) to protection against intimidation and retaliation.

(4) A victim has a duty to cooperate, to such extent as is possible, with an Garda Síochána and any other relevant law enforcement authority.".

I will discuss amendments Nos. 1 to 6. First, however, in the context of the horrendous gun crime and loss of life we have seen in this city and the ongoing problem we have with drug gangs, I wish to acknowledge at least one good news story today dealing with criminal matters. I congratulate the Garda Síochána on recovering the penguin stolen from Dublin Zoo earlier today. Store Street gardaí apparently recovered the penguin and returned it to Dublin Zoo. I hope it has recovered from its ordeal. It is important that we note occasions of good news as well as some of the more serious issues in the criminal area.

See this speech in context