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

Following the launch of the Women's Aid report, I attended a meeting between the Courts Service and Women's Aid, which I organised in order to discuss the range of issues raised in the report about the state of the family court services and the need to improve them but, equally, there were other issues. Some of the issues Deputy Coppinger raised will be addressed in the sexual offences Bill, which will be debated in the Dáil next week. The Law Reform Commission has addressed some of the other points the Deputy made. We will examine the Law Reform Commission report as a matter of urgency because there are offences relating to online harassment and stalking and we need to update the legislation in regard to them.

I have an open mind on the commissioning of a second SAVI report. If the money can be found, I will ensure it is done. I appreciate the value of all-island reports looking at the prevalence of issues such as this as they can guide interventions. I will work hard to ensure the money can be found.

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