Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
670. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the proposals he is considering to develop a policy on removal orders to take domestic abuse offenders out of the home; if there is a timeline for the introduction of this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45381/26]
View answerCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need, is an absolute priority for me.
There are commitments in the Programme for Government and in ‘Zero Tolerance’, the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to enable individuals experiencing sexual or domestic violence to remain safely in their own homes, whenever possible, and my Department is working to develop policy in this area.
I am committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have what is needed to combat all forms of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSBGV) and to support victims and survivors and that our justice system is victim-centred.
My Department is examining proposals, to develop a policy on removal orders to take offenders out of the home in high-risk cases, subject to legal considerations. This is envisaged as a new Garda power to intervene on a short-term, emergency basis in cases of domestic violence to prevent further abuse in the home, supplementing longer-term protections such as barring orders.
Deliberations are ongoing, in consultation with key stakeholders, including on how the proposed new power would best complement existing protections.
