Charlie Flanagan

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan announced the ratification following a special Government meeting held to mark International Women’s Day 2019.

The Convention is a significant international legal instrument which requires criminalising or legally sanctioning different forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual harassment and psychological violence.

Mr Flanagan said: “Protecting and supporting victims has been a key priority for this Government. Domestic and sexual violence can have devastating consequences for victims as well as society as a whole.

“Ratifying the Convention delivers on a Government commitment and sends an important message that Ireland does not tolerate such violence. That message is all the more appropriate given that today is International Women’s Day.”

Formal ratification took place at a ceremony at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg this morning.

Thorbjørn Jagland, secretary general of the Council of Europe, said: “We welcome Ireland’s ratification as yet more proof of the success of our convention, which helps to prevent violence, helps victims, and ensures that perpetrators are brought to justice.

“All our member states need the Istanbul Convention to more effectively prosecute perpetrators and to provide support and protection to their victims and to implement measures that will help prevent the violence from occurring in the first place.”

Ireland signed the Convention in November 2015, but formal ratification was delayed until a number of pieces of legislation and other actions could be carried out.