Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan: the Cabinet has approved a series of proposals to amend various aspects of criminal and civil law. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins PhotosThe disclosure of a rape complainant’s counselling notes during a trial “will be very much an exception” under plans to change the law, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has said. These include plans for a statutory presumption of non-disclosure of a complaint’s counselling notes in cases in sexual offence trials. A number of sexual violence survivors and advocacy groups have urged an outright ban on the use of counselling notes in rape trials. The various amendments all have to be passed by the Oireachtas.

Source: The Irish Times February 04, 2026 22:58 UTC