Denis O'Donovan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank my Sinn Féin colleagues for putting down the motion on this important issue. Society has changed for the worse in the past 40 years. My father had a saying, "Whatever strife stirs abroad, there should be peace at home". Unfortunately this does not resonate through as much as it used to. Despite the high level campaigns in the media against domestic violence and the efforts of various Departments, incidents of domestic violence have increased.

While most cases of domestic violence are against women, it must be remembered that men too can be victims, not often physically but emotionally. It must also be remembered that in many cases of domestic violence, it can be the emotional psyching out of a partner. The damage caused to the adult can be minuscule when compared to the effect it can have on children who are exposed to it. Those who experienced violence in the home as children are more likely to be violent and abusive in adult life.

In most towns, women's groups are supported through small grants from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to provide a service at local level. Sheltered accommodation can be found not only in Cork and Dublin but on the Beara Peninsula or the Sheep's Head Peninsula.

From my experience as a lawyer, 20 years ago the Judiciary's skill and training in dealing with barring orders, interim orders and so forth virtually did not exist. In the past decade, a new breed of judges has come to the fore who are astute in handling situations of domestic violence. In most cases, judges will not take a risk and grant an interim order or a barring order quickly.

I compliment the Garda training college in Templemore in the strides it made in training gardaí in handing domestic violence cases. Some 25 years ago, gardaí called to domestic violence situations did not know how to handle them. Recently, in a case in the Cork South-West constituency, the woman affected described the gardaí involved as understanding, knowledgeable of the law and how to deal with the abusing partner.

Despite all the moneys allocated to tackling the problem and all the training given to the Garda and Judiciary, unless the mindset that sees it as acceptable in society changes, there will be no short-term solution to domestic violence. This can be addressed through education at both primary and secondary level. Victims will often speak of the shame and embarrassment of it and how they were afraid to come forward. Forty years ago, people thought domestic violence was acceptable. In more recent years, through education, most people see it as unacceptable under any circumstances.

Hopefully, arising from this debate, the issue of domestic violence will be tackled further.

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