Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to the witnesses because I was bilocating in another committee room. I had to attend a meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts. I captured much of the beginning of the presentations made by the witnesses.

All of us, like Senator Warfield, are trying to find our way on this committee and discover what role we can play. The question of how men respond to this issue is a key one. Senator Warfield is right when he says that both men and women are often the victims of toxic masculinity and are limited by it. In saying that, I do not in any way deviate from the very serious issue of domestic violence. How can we get that conversation to happen in the places where it is most needed, such as a changing room after a GAA game or a WhatsApp group of lads who are going on a stag weekend? I am not sure I ever thought I would hear myself say this, but maybe Donald Trump was right when he said that men say certain things in those places. Not all men say them, but some men do. It is a question of how to start a conversation among young men. We know there are huge issues around mental health, the rate of suicide among young men and the role of young men in society. How do we start this conversation in a constructive way? My comments are probably directed towards MDN, but I would welcome replies from everybody. How can the State put in place programmes with voluntary organisations to start the conversation?

How do we ensure that the conversation continues in families where there might be generational differences of opinion and, where AkiDwA's area is concerned, cultural differences as well? These are broad questions, but I would appreciate feedback on the issue.

AkiDwA's submission refers to the registration fee for victims of domestic violence when registering for the first time. Will the witnesses from AkiDwA expand on that point? I apologise if they have already done so and I missed it. I welcome my colleague, Ms Adejinmi. It is good to see her in the Oireachtas. We may see more of her in future.