More rights for victims of crime
The Cabinet backed reforms set to be introduced by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald under the Victims’ Rights Bill.
For the first time, the DPP will be obliged to give reasons for non-fatal cases as to why decisions were taken if victims question them.
In 2013, DPP Claire Loftus said the implementation of rights for victims to question decisions would take up resources.
The Victims’ Rights Alliance welcomed the plans, but warned extra resources needed to be given to the DPP and gardaí in order for them to be carried out properly.
Victims and their families will have an automatic right to be informed when an offender is released under the new legislation. They will also have the right to more information on how their case is progressing through the criminal justice system.
The Cabinet also approved a Domestic Violence Bill to be announced next week which is set to give more protection to people who make allegations.
The Cabinet also agreed to meet next Wednesday in a special session at Lissadell House, Co Sligo, partly to honour WB Yeats who had close links with the area and was told the cost this year of ministerial visits across the globe for St Patrick’s Day cost the taxpayer €80,000 .
Ministers also approved a new defence white paper, and Health Minister Leo Varadkar was backed in his bid to end the practice of giving patients electroconvulsive therapy without consent.
Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan also updated colleagues on plans to merge Waterford and Carlow ITs.
