Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will sign the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. [28787/11]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will sign up to the Council of Europe Convention on violence against women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28932/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.

Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, an executive office within my Department, actively contributed to all stages of the drafting process in relation to the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. Cosc is currently considering the steps which need to be taken to pave the way for a submission to the Government on the question of signature of the convention by Ireland. I anticipate that the matter will be submitted to the Government in the near future.