Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026: Report and Final Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2026-07-02
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Chris Andrews (SF), Labour Panel

Victims and survivors like those here in the Gallery believed the justice system would protect them, expected they would get justice and thought justice would help them to heal. If their personal notes go to their abusers, they will be retraumatised and they will not get the justice they need and deserve. The example of Paula is a concrete example of where handing over notes to an abuser damages everybody - the justice system and victims and survivors. Survivors are now debating whether they choose between counselling or court because they do not believe they can do both. The Minister has the chance to change this and allow survivors to heal by doing counselling and going to court. It is really important to ensure counselling notes are not handed over, retraumatising survivors and victims. I support these amendments.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-07-02/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:09+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-02