Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the legislative proposals he plans in order to transpose EU Directive 2024/1385 on combating violence against women and domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60334/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the protection and care they deserve remain absolute priorities for this government.

These commitments lie at the heart of the Third National DSGBV Strategy, and a key element of achieving them is through legislative reform.

The purpose of the Violence Against Women Directive is to provide a comprehensive framework to effectively prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence throughout the European Union.

The measures under this Directive are designed to address the specific needs of women and girls, given that, as confirmed by data and studies, they are disproportionately affected by the forms of violence covered by this Directive.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government recently approved the drafting of the Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments Bill 2025. The provisions in this Bill remove dual criminality in respect of certain offences, including female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, which is a requirement under the Directive. The General Scheme of this Bill is being referred to the Justice Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny and, when its report is received, I will progress the drafting of the Bill as quickly as possible.

Many of the provisions contained in the Directive are already provided for under existing Irish legislation or in the aforementioned Bill. However, work is underway in my Department to determine what further legislative reforms may be required to fully transpose the Directive. The deadline for transposition is in 2027.