Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The answer to Deputy Heydon's question is "Yes". I assure him and the House that my Department is engaged in work for two sets of legislative change regarding personal insolvency. We are considering specific formal or procedural statutory requirements which are often difficult or impracticable in the context of compliance with Covid-19 restrictions. There are a small number of requirements under the personal insolvency Acts, subject to Government formation. I am conscious in this regard of this House, but also of the Upper House. The intention, in any event, is to bring forward these changes for urgent Government approval very shortly.

The House will also be aware that my officials are already working to complete the major statutory review of the personal insolvency Acts. There was a period of public consultation and that has now been completed. It is important now that such a review also include the latest developments, with particular reference to the significant economic adverse impact of Covid-19. We are in May and I expect the report will be available by September. We are also engaged in consultations with the Department of Finance, but I am happy to keep Deputy Heydon informed.

Regarding the queries from Deputy Carroll MacNeill, I acknowledge the work she has done and continues to do to assist the regulatory framework concerning domestic violence in the context of the impact of Covid-19.

I want to acknowledge what Deputy Murnane-O'Connor has also stated in that regard. I spoke to gardaí on this issue yesterday. It seems from feedback that I have received that this is one issue where there has been an increase in criminal activity. It should be a concern to all of us. It certainly is a priority to me. That is why I acknowledge what the Garda has done in respect of Operation Faoiseamh in order to ensure that those victims of domestic abuse, including coercive control, will continue to receive high priority on the part of the State. In this regard, I acknowledge pro-activity and training on the part of the Garda. Parallel to the activities under the Covid regime, we also have the ongoing roll-out of the divisional protective services units throughout the country. The aim and objective, certainly on the previous occasions we had Justice questions, was to have these units up and running throughout the State by the end of the spring of this year and I understand that the Garda is actively engaging. Even in the small number of districts where there is not a formal divisional protective unit, gardaí are trained. Gardaí are responding in a most robust way. In this regard, let me assure Deputy Murnane O'Connor that the courts are open.

I listened to what Deputy Carroll MacNeill stated in respect of a Dún Laoghaire project. I would be happy to convey the views of the Deputy to the Garda Commissioner in that regard but I am anxious to assure the House and indeed the public that the courts are available to deal with these issues and also issues of a more general family law nature that have been raised earlier in respect of emergency orders, protective orders, barring orders and indeed the issues that arise on a daily basis, sadly, within the District Court regime. There was, it was said, an element of confusion in respect of standing court orders and access, particularly outside of the travel area. I want to assure the Deputies that the court orders still very much stand, the restrictive travel regime does not apply in respect of court orders and in the event of there being a dispute between the parties, as well as the Court Services being available and the family legal services networks being available, court offices are open.

As well as the courts, I want also to advise of the importance of the family mediation services in this area. I will reply to Deputy Murnane O'Connor and Deputy Carroll MacNeill in detail on the points raised.

I would be anxious to meet Deputy Martin Kenny on some of the important points raised by him. I cannot respond to the Deputy now. They may come up in later questions. I am concerned about what the Deputy said about gardaí and PPE.

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