Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Women’s Aid are an important partner and carry out very important work in the area of domestic violence. In this context, my colleagues and I have considered the report referred to by the Deputy.

As the Deputy may be aware, there is a commitment in the Justice Plan 2021 to publish the independent research on Familicide and Domestic Homicide Reviews which has been commissioned by my Department. This will be an important first step in delivering on the Programme for Government commitment to legislate to introduce Domestic Homicide Reviews.

The independent study is looking at international best practice in the conduct of Domestic Homicide Reviews with a view to making recommendations in relation to their application in this jurisdiction. I must emphasise that the Advisory Group and their work is independent, and the Department of Justice is not involved in the work of the study nor is it a member of the Advisory Group.

I understand from the Study Lead that the focus now is on the fair procedures part of the process and that this involves allowing any persons or organisations who might be affected by the contents of the draft report (including the families concerned) to be given an opportunity to reply.  Invariably, this part of the process can take time as it involves engaging with multiple parties. However, it is an essential part of the process and must be completed before the report can be finalised. 

The Study Lead is working to complete the process in order to be able to proceed to finalising the report.

When received, I will examine the report in detail and I am committed to considering any recommendations made as a priority.

My Department is also leading the development across Government of the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence which will place a priority on prevention and reduction and will include a National Preventative Strategy. This new Strategy is being co-designed in partnership with the sector. It will be the most ambitious strategy to date and will radically improve services and supports for victims. The strategy is on track to be developed by my Department in consultation with all relevant Departments and stakeholders with a view to it coming to Government for approval before the end of 2021.

It may also interest the Deputy to know that the Government has considerably strengthened the law and structures targeting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, as part of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021. Implementation of the strategy is monitored on an ongoing basis by a monitoring committee which is made up of representatives from state agencies and the community and voluntary sector, including Women’s Aid.

Central to this is the landmark Domestic Violence Act 2018, which came into force on 1 January 2019.  Other developments in this area include the enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, which introduced a statutory definition of consent, and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017, which provides a wide range of measures and services to protect and inform victims during the progress of their case through the Criminal Justice system.