Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The report for The Irish Council for Civil Liberties, referred to by the Deputy, highlights some of the added difficulties that victims who have disabilities may face in the pre-trial, trial and post-trial stages of the criminal process. I am very conscious of the need to ensure that all victims of crime are helped to navigate the criminal justice system with the minimum level of discomfort and distress. However this has to be balanced with the rights of the accused.

The National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan was developed by the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group (NDSIG), chaired by my colleague, the Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health & Older People, Ms. Kathleen Lynch, T.D., in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. The Plan contains a commitment that the National Disability Authority will engage in discussions with key personnel in the justice system with a view to identifying practical steps that can be taken to improve the accessibility of the system and its procedures for people with disabilities.

I believe that the provisions of the Victims of Crime Directive will strengthen support to all victims, including those with disabilities. The Directive, which covers all victims of crime, is due to be implemented by the Member States by the 16th of November 2015. The Directive provides that the victim should be able to understand and be understood, receive appropriate information about their case, have access to victim support services and be individually assessed to identify specific protection needs and to be heard. A further provision in the Directive states that the victim may be accompanied by a person of their choice for interviews with police, unless a reasoned decision has been made to the contrary. It is my intention to have legislation enacted to comply with the Directive by November, 2015, the deadline contained in the Directive.