Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur faoi reachtaíocht atá forógraithe, ach sular leanann mé ar aghaidh le sin, ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá faoin iar Teachta Dála, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh a fuair bás an mhí seo fosta. Before I come to promised legislation, with the indulgence of the Ceann Comhairle I would like to mark the death of a former Deputy who died recently. Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a dhéanamh le clann Ruairí Ó Brádaigh. Rory would not appreciate his name being mentioned in this institution but, at the same time, this institution should not ignore the fact that he was elected as a Deputy for Longford-Westmeath while in prison. He was one of four Sinn Féin Deputies elected in 1957. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to place this on record and extend the sympathy of Sinn Féin, and I hope of the Dáil, to his wife Patsy and to his family and friends. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

Regarding promised legislation, the programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce consolidated and reformed domestic violence legislation to address all aspects of domestic violence, threatened violence and intimidation in a manner that protects the victims. Women's Aid showed that threats, intimidation and violence are a daily reality for thousands of women and children across the State and across the island. The organisation has called for round-the-clock access to legal protection for vulnerable women and children and that a court be available for women to seek interim barring orders outside of normal court hours. When will the Government bring forward legislation to provide 24-7 protection for vulnerable women and children?

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