Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that comprehensive answer. I understand fully the conflict he will face in trying to balance these rights. However, I want to point out the purpose of counselling notes. These notes are confidential. The are about helping victims on the road to recovery following a very traumatic and harrowing experience. The very idea that these notes could be exposed to the accused side, or indeed be used by the DPP to prove a case, is traumatic for them. Many counsellors, groups and victims have come to me and expressed their horror that this could continue again and again. Many have pointed out how this could impede victims coming forward. While I understand the balancing of rights is necessary to have a fair trial, I do not believe counselling notes have any place within a trial. Indeed, a recent Supreme Court judgement said there was no basis for the introduction of these notes on the basis of relevance.

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