Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I sincerely thank Senators, not only for facilitating this debate in what is a very busy week for Seanadóirí, but also to acknowledge their input and views on what is an important piece of legislation.

The primary aim of ratifying the Istanbul Convention is to combat violence against women and violence in a domestic setting. It is an issue I acknowledge that we all feel strongly about and I want in particular to welcome the broad support for the Bill, as evidenced by the contributions of Senators Conway-Walsh, Higgins, Conway, McFadden and Buttimer.

Can I say to Senator Conway-Walsh that I am happy to keep the Senate informed as to the issue of the commencement order for the domestic violence legislation. I would be very happy to engage with Senators on any interim commentary or submission that Senators would like to make on the outworking of the Bill. In the same context I would expect to receive the report of the review group in the area of sexual offences, with reference to court practice and procedure, which is in an advanced course of preparation under the chairmanship of Professor Tom O'Malley. I set up the group following concerns expressed within this jurisdiction during the early summer on the consequential fallout of a certain rape case north of the Border. I expect to have this report in January, following which I will set out an implementation plan. I hope we will have an opportunity of addressing that here as well and to listen to the views of Senators on it.

On resources as raised by Senators Conway-Walsh and Higgins, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the primary statutory funder for sexual violence services. This year, the national provision for frontline domestic, sexual and gender-based violence was €23.8 million which is an increase of €3.4 million on the 2015 level, or 17%. In this regard, I want to acknowledge the decision of the Government early today to appoint a former Member of the Oireachtas, a good colleague and a former Minister, Pat Rabbitte, to the position of chair of Tusla. I am confident that he will do a very good job. I look forward to working with him in my capacity as Minister for Justice and Equality.

Senator Higgins spoke of funding regarding the consequences of the Istanbul Convention and the appropriate suite of measures in the form of a legislative programme, which Senator Buttimer referred to, which brought us to this point in time. I agree with Senator Higgins that the issue of resources is of crucial importance. Of the €1.72 million allocated to the victims of crime this year, grants totalling €686,000 were awarded to 34 domestic violence organisations to support and assist them in the provision of support and court accompaniment to victims of crime. Yesterday I had an opportunity to engage with one of the many groups involved in this area and I want to acknowledge the volunteerism and the outreach in an area that is of crucial importance. COSC has a non-pay budget allocation of €2.2 million.COSC has allocated €950,000 for the What Would You Do? national awareness campaign. The campaign messaging moved from an awareness-raising objective to an educational one. I agree with Senator Higgins that if there are issues regarding the campaign or any aspect of it on which Senators would like to engage with me by way of observations or suggestions, I would be happy to accommodate them. In addition, an allocation of €500,000 from the Dormant Accounts Fund, provided under the dormant accounts action plan, is being utilised to provide key additional localisation to the national campaign. COSC also allocated €870,000 for the delivery of the uniform national domestic abuse intervention programme - the Choices programme. COSC also provided funding of €22,000 this year to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre for a sexual violence awareness and prevention programme for young people. I again acknowledge the work of numerous advocacy groups in this area, most of which I have had the opportunity to meet over the course of the year.

Senator Higgins also referred to implementation and compliance. Once the convention is ratified, Ireland would be monitored by the Group of States Against Corruption, GRECO, a Council of Europe body. Senators will be aware of the engagement here with the Seanad and the Houses of the Oireachtas by GRECO, and I am aware that submissions have been sought and that face-to-face engagement is entered into on occasion. All of those engagements are really important for stakeholders. The Istanbul Convention mandates the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, GREVIO, to monitor the implementation of the convention. GREVIO is similar to GRECO, and I know that the Senators have engaged with it to some extent.