Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-25
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Laura Harmon (LAB), Industrial and Commercial Panel

I move amendment No. 18:
In page 19, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:
“ Amendment of section 19A of Criminal Evidence Act 1992
16. The Criminal Evidence Act 1992 is amended by the deletion of section 19A and the substitution of the following:
“19A. (1) In this section—
‘competent person’ means a person who has undertaken training or study or has experience relevant to the process of counselling;
‘complainant’ means a person in respect of whom an offence is alleged to have been committed;
‘counselling’ means listening to and giving verbal or other support or encouragement to a person, or advising or providing therapy or other treatment to a person (whether or not for remuneration);
‘counselling record’ means any record, or part of a record, made by any means, by a competent person in connection with the provision of counselling to a complainant.
(2) A counselling record shall not be disclosed in any criminal proceedings unless the complainant has consented to the disclosure.
(3) A complainant shall not be required, in or in connection with any criminal proceedings, to produce a counselling record unless the complainant has consented to the production of a counselling record.”.”.
I have moved the amendment on behalf of the Civil Engagement Group and propose to withdraw the amendment.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-25/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:07+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-25