Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I propose to share time with Deputies Olivia Mitchell and Connaughton. I did not think that I would support a motion on violence in this House proposed by Sinn Féin but I am glad to support this motion on domestic violence. While I differ from the party on the detail of some aspects of the motion I am substantially ad idem with it on the issues outlined in support of the motion.

We are largely discussing violence against women which is understandable because most domestic violence arises against women. We must recognise, however, that there are incidents of violence against men too which have been highlighted by journalists such as John Waters in The Irish Times and organisations such as Amen. There are other instances of domestic violence involving children against parents and there is evidence of domestic violence between same sex partners. While these examples exist, 90% or more of domestic violence occurs against women.

This is not simply because women are generally physically weaker than men. Much of the violence may not necessarily be physical. There is also emotional, psychological and financial abuse. It is no harm for us to recall the position of women in our society, and our views on the position of women in Islamic society including, for example, the honour killings in Pakistan, parts of India and elsewhere, the wearing of the burka in some countries, pursuit by vice police in others, and the effect of organisations such as the Taliban. We might think we are in a superior position here being a Christian or, some would say, post-Christian society but it is not so long since our law held that women were not equal. Only in 1882 did the Law of Property Act allow married women to own property. The Married Women's Status Act 1956 attempted to put legal shape on the notion of equality, and that is relatively recent.

We carry a great deal of historical baggage from the point of view of the role of women in society. While in legal terms the issues of equality have been resolved, there remain traditional and historical attitudes that have not been confronted. It is salutary to consider the statistics highlighted during this debate, some of which were mentioned in the Sinn Féin motion. It is horrifying to hear of the number of women killed violently, often by their partners or ex-partners, and the number of incidents of domestic violence recorded by the Garda each day while accepting that only a fraction of the incidents are reported at all. While one may dispute or question some of the figures, it is clear that there is a high incidence of domestic violence in our country.

The issue is to a significant degree unrecognised, much of it unreported, and inadequately confronted by the Executive or the Legislature. It is some time since we even debated this issue. What should be done? First, we must admit the scale of the problem and ensure there is general recognition of its enormous scale. Second, adequate resources, including finance, must be allocated to the various agencies, governmental and non-governmental, trying to deal with the problem. Third, we must try to encourage a change of attitude, whereby everybody realises that this will not be tolerated in our society.

With due respect to the Minister, his speech is an indication of where part of the problem arises. It was a speech without commitment, passion or real vision. It indicated a pedestrian approach to a problem of such enormity. The figures bear repetition. The worst is the huge number of calls made to the Women's Aid helpline. In 2005 there were over 25,000 calls. The helpline was only able to respond to 15,000; over 10,000 were not dealt with for the simple reason that Women's Aid did not have the resources or finances to respond. That is unacceptable and inexcusable.

The Minister spoke rather grandly about the money being made available. It is a couple of million here and a couple of million there. The money was largely capped from 2002. A few million extra was provided in the current Estimates. However, when one adds the figures, it is a miserable amount of money, given the size of the problem. In the budget we no longer talk about millions or hundreds of millions but about billions of euro. The Minister proudly proclaims there is €2.4 million for extra services. It is a little extra but buttons, given the size of the problem. I am most unimpressed with the Government's attitude now that the issue has been put before the House in such stark terms by previous speakers. This laid back response gives the impression that it does not really care. That is worrying.

Telling us about the civil law which was largely put in place by the rainbow Government ten years ago is not an answer to the figures mentioned in this debate. The Minister has said there will shortly be a proposal for a co-ordinated response. The Government is dying on its feet; it will not be there shortly. It will be gone in seven or ten weeks. Very little has been done, even though there is a huge amount to be done. The Government has a hopeless record in dealing with this enormous problem.

See this speech in context