Justice Committee to meet for pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill 2025

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 1 of Leinster House between 15:00-17:30. 

Representatives from Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service, Women's Aid, Law Society of Ireland, Alcohol Action Ireland, officials from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and Jennie’s Law campaigner Mr. Jason Poole will appear at the meeting. 

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Matt Carthy said: “The General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill 2025 represents an important set of proposals aimed at strengthening Ireland’s response to sexual offences and domestic violence and supporting them through the justice system. 

“The campaign to establish a domestic violence register has been led by Jason Poole whose sister Jennie who was murdered by her partner who had a history of violence against women including having been jailed for an attack on a former partner. This was something that Jennie and her family were not aware of.  The Committee in particular welcomes the opportunity to discuss the establishment of the domestic violence register, which is to be provided for in this bill, with Jason. 

The Committee also welcomes the opportunity to hear directly from other stakeholders including Women’s Aid, the Law Society of Ireland and Alcohol Action Ireland/Silent Voices. Their evidence will assist the Committee in assessing the General Scheme in detail, including the proposed Domestic Violence Register, reforms relating to consent and the mental element of rape offences, and the introduction of Operation Encompass to support children impacted by domestic abuse.”

Watch the meeting live on www.oireachtas.ie or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.