Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Government has ratified the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence; if it intends to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10779/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my response to PQ numbers 485 and 521 of Tuesday, 14th February, 2012, where I stated that the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence is a very detailed Convention with a very broad scope across a number of policy areas. Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, an executive office within my Department, has examined the Convention and has requested observations on potential policy and legislative implications from relevant government departments and state agencies. Following receipt of the observations, consideration will be given to any issues which need to be addressed. It is hoped that this will be quickly followed by a submission to the Government on the question of signature of the Convention by Ireland.