Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I would like to make a brief point about domestic refuges in response to the Minister. I am eager to see as big and substantial a "Yes" campaign as possible. I hope there will be as big and substantial a margin of victory for the "Yes" campaign as possible. To assist in the achievement of that outcome, I urge the Minister to go beyond his welcome words about the absence of domestic refuge services in large parts of the country and the deficiencies in those services relative to the European guidelines. I ask him to ensure that substantial change takes place. It is inevitable that during the discussion and conversation that takes place in society in the run-up to next month's referendum, there will be a wider discussion away from the wording of Article 41 of the Constitution about all the difficulties that are presented in the context in which relationships break down and in which people attempt to end relationships. It is obvious that legal difficulties present a significant impediment to a marriage being ended with a divorce. It is appropriate that we are dealing with those difficulties. All of the other impediments that exist will also be a part of the conversation. I urge the Minister to discuss this aspect of the matter with his Government colleagues with a view to ensuring action is taken in the next couple of months.

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