Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge your view on this, a Cheann Comhairle, and I fully agree with it. I remind the Deputy that there are five tranches of legislation germane to the issue she has raised. Two were enacted earlier this year, namely, the Domestic Violence Act and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act, both of which were long outstanding and are most reforming in nature, ensuring that victims of crime and vulnerable witnesses are fully protected.

I point to two Bills before the House that, with the co-operation of the Deputies opposite, we will have enacted before Christmas. I point to the review, as promised by me in the aftermath of the Belfast rape trial, which is being overseen by a group under the chairing of Professor Tom O'Malley from NUI Galway, a considered expert in the area of practice and procedure on the treatment of vulnerable witnesses. I expect that report to be completed in its entirety by the end of this year, whereupon the recommendations can be discussed by the House. I am keen to ensure that our legislation is fully updated and that resources are made available to victims of crime.

See this speech in context