Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Garda Complaints Procedures
491. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to
Parliamentary Questions No. 398 and 434 of 22 November 2011, if he will publish the legislative
proposals suggested by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission referred therein; and if
he will make a statement on the matter. [7759/12]
Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): Legislative proposals which are
designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission
were included in its Two Year (2008) and Five-Year Report (2011) produced in accordance
with section 80 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. For details of the proposals concerned,
the Deputy may wish to consult these reports which have been laid before the Houses of
the Oireachtas.
As the Deputy will no doubt agree, it is necessary to strike the correct balance between the
effectiveness and efficiency of police oversight and the other objectives of the Ombudsman
Commission as set out in the 2005 Act. Preliminary discussions have taken place between the
Ombudsman Commission and the Garda Síochána with a view to advancing the Ombudsman
Commission’s proposals in this area. In addition, I met the newly appointed members of the
Ombudsman Commission in January and, following that meeting, they are now engaged in a
review of the operations of the organisation with a view to submitting a paper to me on all
relevant issues, including their proposed legislative amendments. I expect to receive the document
from the Ombudsman Commission before the summer recess. Ultimately, any legislative
amendments which are being brought forward in this area will require amendment of the
Garda Síochána Act 2005 and, accordingly, formal legislative proposals will be presented to
the Oireachtas for debate and consideration in the usual way.
Proposed Legislation
492. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which
he will introduce consolidated and reformed domestic violence legislation; and if he will make
a statement on the matter. [7760/12]
Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): I refer the Deputy to my reply to
Questions numbers 164 to 166 of 30 November 2011, in which I indicated the following:
“The Programme for Government commitment — to introduce consolidated and reformed
domestic violence legislation to address all aspects of domestic violence, threatened violence
and intimidation, in a way that provides protection to victims — will be progressed as soon
as possible having regard to the need for consultations and the need to dispose of urgent
legislative matters in my Department under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support
for the State.”
The Law Reform Commission’s Third Programme of Law Reform 2008-2014 provides for a
general review of the law on domestic violence. I understand that the Commission has commenced
its consultations and any recommendations it makes will inform the development by
my Department of proposals for further legislative reform in this area.
Equality Issues
493. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality, further to
Parliamentary Question No. 432 of 22 November 2011, when he will put the question of giving
ethnicity status to the Traveller community to the Government; and if he will make a statement
on the matter. [7761/12]
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