COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 09, 2026

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That this Council calls on the Minister for Justice to immediately implement the recommendation of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice for a complete and unconditional ban on the use of victims' counselling notes as evidence in sexual offence trials and writes to the Minister for Justice urging that the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 be amended to remove judicial discretion in this matter, ensuring that private therapeutic records—which are for healing and not investigation—can never be used to re-traumatise survivors during the legal process.

REPORT:

If this motion is passed, a letter will be issued to the Minister for Justice. The response, when received, will be circulated to the Members.