Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I support Senator Regan's amendments. Earlier, we debated other amendments concerning the treatment of victims. At that stage the Minister stated in his view it was not appropriate to place those in statutory form. I anticipate he may take the same view in respect of these amendments and I am conscious that some of the provisions are already carried out in practice, notably, that an investigating or prosecuting garda tends, where possible, to try to give victims notice of the release of accused persons on bail or following a term of imprisonment. However, it is important these measures are placed in statutory form because research carried out on the treatment of victims within the criminal justice system shows that victims wish to be kept informed and notified. I have carried out some research in this area as well. It is of particular concern to victims when an offender or alleged offender is released on bail or following sentence but the victims are not informed. There have been some very distressing situations in which victims have seen the person who assaulted them on the street but were not aware of their release from prison. It is very important to have a statutory requirement that victims are kept notified of the release or deportation of offenders. Another aspect of the amendments relates to the appointment of a victims' representative. This puts in place what occurs in practice in many cases whereby a victim support person accompanies the victim to court. Many groups throughout the country provide court accompaniment services to victims.

Yesterday, I remarked on the Order of Business that I was part of a Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights delegation that visited the new criminal courts complex on Parkgate Street. I put on record in the presence of the Minister how impressed the other members of the delegation and I were with the new facilities offered there and I congratulate the Courts Service in this regard. In particular, we were very impressed by the new facilities for victims or vulnerable witnesses, who are now to be kept separate from the public. Excellent facilities are provided for these people, especially for child witnesses. It is a very important and practical support offered to victims and witnesses in the Dublin area. However, it is also important victims throughout the country are given notice by the Garda in cases where offenders are being released such that they are not taken by surprise or caused distress if they see someone on the street whom they understood was in prison.