Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone for his or her contribution and spent on contributing to the debate on what is an important and serious issue and a plague on communities. It is a pity the Minister of State has adopted the approach of opposing the Bill. The Domestic Violence Act must be strengthened when it comes to the rights of women trapped in an abusive relationship and who are seeking accommodation for themselves and their children. The guidelines to which the Minister of State refers and which the Government intends to bring out shortly, as well as some of those already used, are precisely that - they are guidelines. Sinn Féin seeks legislative certainty for those who need a safe environment for themselves and their children. Men also find themselves in abusive relationships, albeit not on the same scale, but nevertheless are worse off when it comes to accessing accommodation. The tactic of seeking a diversion and providing misleading information by stating Sinn Féin's Bill is aimed wrongly is typical of the failure to address this issue in a serious manner. Moreover, it is an excuse to do nothing because this issue could be addressed and the legislation strengthened easily in the House.

Local authorities vary nationwide. For example, Dublin City Council has written into its guidelines that it can consider certain cases "in exceptional circumstances". Once again, however, this is a guideline; it does not provide certainty. Some local authorities eventually will allow a woman to obtain a housing need letter and avail of rental supplement. However, there is no certainty and I refer to the challenges in finding a place where rental supplement is accepted. Members will have seen the widespread practice of not accepting rental supplement and how people cannot access housing. Rents have gone sky high and, in many cases, landlords are repossessing places simply because they wish to increase the rent or, in other cases, are genuinely selling places. Consequently, people face a crisis in finding accommodation and even if people such as a woman and her children in a serious situation can avail of rental supplement, they simply cannot find places.

Hostels, while needed, are not the answer; focused social housing is needed. Moreover, such housing that can be allocated temporarily is needed, after which people can be brought into more permanent housing. I cannot count how many times I have met women who have been abused. I have met them in their homes and in my clinics, as I am sure have all Members. Some have physical scars; others have mental scars , while fear is written all over them. One need only look at the faces of some of the victims I have met to see the fear written all over them. It is fear of uncertainty as to where they will go, what they will do, where they will end up and what will happen to their children. In many cases, the children do not even know what is going on and sometimes are being brought into homelessness, which is absolutely scandalous. Their needs are both obvious and urgent, as is the necessity to protect the lives of women in such situations. Domestic violence is a scourge and a blight on the community. Members must send a clear and coherent message to any abuser or potential abuser that his or her deeds and acts will not be accepted but will be pursued rigorously by society, the Garda and the authorities.

People should be looked after by way of accommodation. That is the crux of the Bill, namely, to ensure a person in a dangerous position can secure accommodation. It proposes a simple amendment to take into account the circumstances of women caught up in domestic violence. A more comprehensive debate is needed on the issue and I note that the Minister of State has indicated that such a debate will be held.

Discussing this subject today has been a very small step. I hope we will have further and comprehensive discussions. I am sure many more people would like to make a contribution and share their experiences.

I do not agree with the Minister of State that the Government cannot accept the Bill. I believe it would strengthen the law and give certainty to women who are caught in a very dangerous situation. Many of them are forced to stay in the home or close by, and in many cases they have returned to the home. We need to recognise there is a major problem. I appeal to the Minister of State to rethink what he has said. The Bill represents a simple amendment. I do not see why it should not be accepted. I feel it is being opposed simply because it comes from the Opposition or from anywhere other than the main party. Rejecting it is the wrong approach. We need to take this on its merits and recognise the need for such legislation.

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