Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me the opportunity to speak on this important motion on domestic violence and I commend the Sinn Féin Members in the Dáil on bringing forward this excellent private Members' motion. I also wish Deputy Ó Caoláin well as he is recovering from a serious illness.

Domestic violence, assaults on women, assaults on children and families in crisis are huge issues. The situation is serious and seems to be getting worse with alcohol abuse and the use of drugs compounding the problem of domestic violence. The level of violence is high and we must address the issue of assaults on mothers and children.

In 2004 there were 4,079 reported cases of children at risk. Of these, 267 cases of physical abuse were confirmed, 213 cases of child sexual abuse were confirmed, 339 cases of emotional abuse were confirmed and 596 cases of neglect were confirmed. This means a total of 1,415 children were confirmed as abused in 2004 and that is a very high number. At the moment we expect children from violent, dysfunctional families to behave normally and attend school every day. Young children who witness violence may grow up to carry out violence on their own families and partners. I urge the Government to wake up to this reality.

As the private Members' motion indicates an estimated one in five Irish women experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. Of 106 women killed since 1996, 81 were killed in their homes and just less than 50% of victims whose cases have concluded were killed by a partner or ex-partner. More than a third of all calls to the Women's Aid national phone helpline in 2005 went unanswered due to inadequate funding. That is also a serious matter and I urge the Government to address it.

This motion gives us an opportunity to thank the foster parents of Ireland who are doing magnificent work with children at risk and children from dysfunctional families. They have saved many children from jail, drug abuse and alcohol abuse in later life. Foster parents provide stable families and warm homes and this work is very important.

I urge all Deputies in the House to support this motion and urge the Government to address its contents and implement its sensible ideas.

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