Foilsithe
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Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has this evening passed a wide ranging Bill through all stages in the Oireachtas to deliver on a series of her commitments in the Department of Justice to build stronger, safer communities.
The Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was also worked on by Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne, has completed its passage through the Houses and has now been sent to the President for signature and enactment.
It contains measures targeting violent and organised crime, violence against Gardaí and also has a particular focus on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
These include delivery of the following key commitments in Minister McEntee’s Zero Tolerance plan to tackle Domestic, Sexual and Gender based violence:
All of these changes are in fulfilment of the commitments under Minister McEntee’s Zero Tolerance plan, the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, and Supporting a Victim’s Journey.
Minister McEntee said:
“I am delighted to pass this significant piece of legislation which delivers on many of the commitments I have made as part of my Zero Tolerance plan to tackle domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
“And it will also help to deliver on our commitments to build stronger, safer communities.
“For too long sinister behaviours have been difficult to prosecute in this country. Victims of stalking and harassment, who are all too often victims of intimate partner or domestic abuse, have been unable to access the necessary protections. They have been re-traumatised by the criminal justice process.
“One of my main priorities as Minister for Justice is to change that. I want a society that has Zero Tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and I want to build a criminal justice system that empowers victims of sensitive crimes to come forward safe in the knowledge that the system will protect them, they will be listened to and they will be supported.”
The Bill also introduces a range of provisions that will provide better protection for Gardaí and strengthen the laws designed to tackle serious and organised crime.
These include:
Minister McEntee said:
“An attack on a Garda member or an emergency service worker is simply reprehensible and shows a complete lack of respect for the rule of law but also for communities as a whole.
“Assaulting a frontline worker affects not only the victim, but also the communities in which they serve – a Garda out of work because of an assault is one less Garda who can provide policing services in a local area and that can have massive ripple effects for local people.
“I am committed to building safer, stronger communities and to protecting and supporting those who dedicate their lives and careers to keeping our communities safe. I welcome the passage of this law which will allow judges to consider a wider sentencing range of up to 12 years to appropriately reflect the harm cause by assaults on frontline workers.
“I would like to thank my colleague, Minister Simon Harris, for his work on this issue during his period as Minister for Justice.
“Equally, the increase of the maximum sentence to a life sentence for conspiracy to murder is a strong reflection of our determination to tackle serious and gangland crime. Gardaí successfully intercept and prevent planned murders. That does not change the fact that the perpetrator intended to commit one of the most serious of crimes, nor does it mean that they shouldn’t feel the full rigours of the law.
“An Garda Síochána is doing its job by arresting those intent on committing murder, and that my proposals are targeted at these gangland criminals."
Welcoming the passage of the Bill, Minister Browne said:
“I thank all of my government colleagues for their support on this wide-ranging Bill which will change the criminal law in a number of areas, creating better protections for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and also providing better supports for Gardaí to tackle serious crime.
“The key impact of this Bill is that judges will have a more appropriate range of penalties available to them to impose on offenders of some of the most serious and life-changing crimes for victims. This is important in ensuring that the punishment fits the crime and that justice is served for the victim.”
The Bill also allows for the greater use of certificate evidence in court proceedings in relation to forensic evidence and also in relation to medical assessments by medical professionals. This will ensure efficiency in court proceedings, reduce the requirement for Gardaí, forensic scientists and medical professionals to attend court in person to present uncontroversial evidence and will reduce unnecessary adjournments of cases.
The Bill was initiated on 9 September 2022 and completed Final Stage on 5 July 2023. It has been sent to the President for signing after which it will be enacted.
The provisions of the Bill will be commenced gradually over the coming year once the necessary logistical arrangements are in place.