Fine Gael called today for Government support to ensure a bill enshrining in
law the rights of victims of crime can be passed. Alan Shatter, author of the Victims' Rights Bill, said it would be debated by the parties during private members time in the Dail in May.
One of its key provisions will be to allow victims or their families the automatic right to give a victim impact statement in court. Currently such statements can be made at the discretion of the judge.
"The bill extends the application of Victim Impact Statements so that all judges in our courts when sentencing an offender will first be made aware of the impact of the offence on a victim or victims," Mr Shatter said.
"It cannot be enacted without the support of a majority of Dail members and it requires as a minimum that the Government does not oppose the measure."
Mr Shatter was speaking at a party conference on the rights of victims and the difficulties they face in the criminal justice system.
It will also be addressed by party leader Enda Kenny, victims' group representatives, a victim of crime, a former Garda Inspector and a civil liberties expert.
In his address Mr Shatter referred to the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, set up by the government three years ago on a non-statutory basis.
"Under the Victims' Rights Bill, the Commission will be put on a statutory footing, made independent of the Government and Government Departments and enabled to take an independent overview of what is needed to ensure a fully comprehensive Victims' Charter is put in place as approved and adopted by both Houses of the Oireachtas," he said.
Mr Shatter added this would secure victims' rights and that the Commission's work is not curtailed or restricted by the views of Government Departments or Agencies.
Seanad Leader Senator Frances Fitzgerald is chairing the conference which will conclude with a contribution from the party's Justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan.
Guest speakers include Margaret Martin, Director, Women's Aid, Ellen O'Malley-Dunlop, CEO, Rape Crisis Centre, Maeve Ryan, service co-ordinator, Crime Victims Helpline and Pat Neill, former Garda Inspector.