Ms Justice Laffoy launches National Safeguarding Committee’s strategic plan

Ms Justice Mary Laffoy of the Supreme Court yesterday launched the multi-agency and inter-sectoral National Safeguarding Committee’s Strategic Plan 2017-2021.

The plan will guide the work of the committee, which was established by Government minister Kathleen Lynch in December 2015 and is chaired by Patricia Rickard-Clarke, a solicitor and former Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission.

It was launched in Dublin’s Blackhall Place, home of the Law Society of Ireland, where Ms Justice Laffoy commended and supported the committee’s objective of influencing the development of adult safeguarding legislation, practice and policy.

Speaking at the launch, Ms Rickard-Clarke said: “This five-year strategy cements our commitment to working together to promote the rights and independence of vulnerable adults in order to safeguard them from abuse.

“The strategy will guide the work of the Committee as we collectively work to influence the Government in the development of progressive, human-rights-based legislation and policies aimed at protecting people who may be at risk of abuse or exploitation, and to increase public understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adults.”