Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy again for raising this most important matter. The timeframe provisions can be waived by GSOC where it is a matter of particular public interest, and I can also refer a case to GSOC. I will bear that in mind when I get the full report. The Deputy has described the injuries and, unfortunately, victims of domestic and sexual violence suffer horrific injuries. That is the reason these crimes must be taken very seriously. That has been highlighted. Many of us in the House may have thought that the broader issue of the response to victims of sexual and domestic violence had improved greatly over the past ten years, but the Garda Inspectorate report highlights the need to keep this as a high priority, with an appropriate response from An Garda Síochána. I have discussed the issue with the Garda Commissioner and she has assured me that it will be a top priority for An Garda Síochána in the course of the coming year and into the future. With that in mind, we have a new process, with the establishment of victim liaison officers in every Garda division to improve the response to victims, which is an important initiative.

The Deputy asked about interpreters. There are very clear protocols in the courts, for example, when a person requires the services of an interpreter. This is also true of occasions when gardaí must question somebody and an interpreter is needed. I can arrange to get a note for the Deputy on precisely how interpreter services are dealt with in the health services and I will include details of how interpretation is provided when the police are dealing with people for whom English is not their first language.

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