Flanagan pays tribute to Frances Fitzgerald as Domestic Violence Bill approved

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan paid tribute to his predecessor, Frances Fitzgerald, as the Domestic Violence Bill 2017 completed its journey through both houses of the Oireachtas.

Mr Flanagan said the bill is “one of the most important pieces of legislation to come before the Oireachtas this year”.

It will bring Ireland closer to ratifying the Istanbul Convention on domestic violence, with just one remaining piece of legislation — the Criminal Justice (Istanbul Convention) Bill — to go.

Mr Flanagan received Government approval for the heads of the final bill on Tuesday and hopes to advance it “quickly”.

On the passing of the Domestic Violence Bill, Mr Flanagan said he wanted to “acknowledge the contribution” of minister of state David Stanton and former Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald.

He said: “Minister Stanton successfully brought the Bill through Committee and Report Stages in the Upper House, during which many important amendments were made.

“As Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald made tackling domestic violence a personal priority, published the General Scheme in 2015, brought forward the published Bill last year and introduced it in the Seanad.”

He added: “Indeed, I want to take this opportunity to say that throughout her life Frances has worked to advance the cause of the vulnerable in society and been particularly active in advancing women’s rights - as a social worker, as an advocate and as a politician. And she continues to do great work and I thank her for that.

“Minister Stanton is an exceptional colleague and an invaluable help to me in our busy department bringing an understated compassion and sincerity to the many challenging issues on his desk.

“I am very pleased that Minister Stanton and Deputy Fitzgerald were present today to see the Bill complete its remaining stages in the Houses.”