Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise an issue that I was aware of in my previous role but heard about again on the "Today with Claire Byrne" programme. Sarah was viciously attacked in her own home and suffered physical and emotional trauma. As part of her healing she attended counselling and, as happens in these sessions, she spoke her deepest thoughts and feelings in regard to what was going on for her. She was then forced to hand over the notes from her counselling sessions in regard to the trial of the person who attacked her. To rub salt into the wounds, she had to pay for those sessions while those who perpetrate such attacks can access counselling free of charge. Will the Tánaiste give a commitment that this issue will be addressed in any changes to legislation proposed in the programme for Government. It is deeply concerning that people are forced to hand over their counselling notes to a defence.

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