Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the importance of this legislation. It was a key commitment in the programme for partnership Government. I am pleased that, with cross-party support, it has reached the stage that we have now completed our deliberation in Dáil Éireann. I look forward to further engaging with members of the Upper House in due course.

I thank the Deputies opposite not only for their engagement but for the valuable contributions they have made today and throughout the earlier stages of this legislation. It is essential that we move towards a situation in Irish law whereby we acknowledge in statutory form the place and rights of the victims of crime. We have now passed legislation that will provide victims with a measure of information and support to help them through what has been a time of great difficulty and trauma as victims of crime.

I wish to acknowledge the comments of Deputy Daly not only today but at an earlier stage regarding an ombudsman for victims of crime. I am not against the idea but I believe that we need to embark on considerable research before we are in a position to establish such an office, as proposed by Deputy Daly. It could well be that at some stage in future we will be in a position to do so. I would be happy to revisit the issue but I believe it is important in the first instance that we proceed to enact for the first time legislation that will acknowledge in statute the place of victims at the heart of the criminal justice system and the rights of victims to information and support.

I thank Deputies for the constructive manner in which they approached this legislation. I thank Deputies Wallace and Daly for their amendments and comments. I thank Deputy O'Callaghan and his party. I thank Deputy Kenny for his input this afternoon and I thank Deputy O'Brien for putting forward several amendments.

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