Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which he will sign the Council of Europe convention on prevention and combatting violence against women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14895/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As I have previously stated in my responses to PQ numbers 485 and 521 of Tuesday, 14th February, 2012, 543 of Tuesday, 28th February, 2012 and 74 of Tuesday, 13th March, 2012, the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence is a 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.