Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It was very inappropriate to stick 60 minutes of this debate in at 6.30 p.m. on the last sitting day of the Dáil session. When we speak here we hope by getting the word out through the media and so on that we can highlight issues of importance in society. This deserved a lot more than an hour’s initial debate with the Minister’s speech, which was very interesting, thrown in at the beginning. It should have been the key debate during the main part of a sitting day. How many journalists are around the House now? I put any money on it that if they are here they are in the Seanad watching the Water Services Bill 2014, not watching this debate. On the one hand, we say this is an incredibly important issue but on the other hand we tuck it away in a way that will not give the subject the treatment it deserves.

The statistics are horrendous: Women’s Aid reports 17,000 incidents of domestic violence in Ireland. That is a huge number of victims. In many cases there are multiple victims, not only partners but children. The cases include sexual and emotional violence and financial abuse. In each case there is the heartbreaking situation of somebody feeling unsafe in her or his own home. We have to continue to work on this.

I wish it were possible to eliminate domestic violence. We must make sure that where it does occur there are appropriate responses. We must continuously change the methods we use to ensure this. I am very pleased that the Minister will implement the Istanbul Convention. It is very important. We will watch with interest when she outlines the steps that have been taken to do this. It is also important that this is never seen as a work completed because as society changes we have to keep changing the rules and defences to make sure that victims are defended at all times and that every new opportunity is taken to make sure we put better measures in place.

I have heard good reports of An Garda Síochána from some victims. It would be wrong for us to paint all members of the force in a bad light. Many have gone beyond the call of duty to help victims. I was very taken aback by the report of the Garda Inspectorate on Garda readiness to deal with the victims of domestic violence. The gardaí are the first call out point for many victims and are the people who can enforce the law.

It is vital, and this is within the Minister's gift, that all necessary resources are made available to An Garda Síochána. I noted the Minister's comments on the new Garda Commissioner. Having met Ms O'Sullivan, I have no doubt she will be very understanding of the position and concerned to implement the Garda Inspectorate's report. The understanding is that elements of Garda training on domestic violence have been suspended as a result of a lack of finance. There is no justification for this and, as a female, the Minister should ensure the problem is rectified. Every member of An Garda Síochána who is called out to an emergency domestic abuse case must have appropriate training and know what action to take.

We can introduce all the laws we want but we must ensure they function in real life. I was told by a victim of violence that gardaí who came to her home could not remove the perpetrator without a court order, although they were able to try to deal with the matter. Furthermore, safety orders apply for 24 hours, after which the perpetrator can return to the family home. I also understand that notice that a safety order is to be issued is given to the victim and perpetrator 24 hours in advance. This can cause serious difficulties. These are practical issues that arise in these types of cases. We must try to find a proper balance and ensure the law protects victims at all times by erring on the side of caution.

I recall a case that occurred one evening when I happened to be in Dublin. I received a telephone call from a person who had been the subject of serious domestic violence and had found out that her partner had been released from prison and returned to the locality. She felt very vulnerable at night as she lived in a rural area. I telephoned the local Garda station but gardaí could only take limited action. The only comfort I could offer was to tell her to call me if necessary. I felt this was at least a way of keeping in contact. We must deal with these types of circumstances which create serious fear for people. It must be frightening to find one has no back-up in such a scenario.

A great deal of work remains to be done on this issue. I hope the House will have a proper debate when the Minister produces specific plans on domestic violence in the new year. Such a debate should highlight that domestic violence is a grievous problem and cancer in society that we must fight at all times.

I am glad the Minister touched on the issues of alcohol and drugs, particularly the former. Drugs are illegal and must remain illegal. Anyone who argues that soft drugs should be made legal has not studied the literature. Society also has a casual attitude towards alcohol. I am disappointed that we have still not tackled the issue of alcohol advertising, which is focused on getting young people into the habit of drinking. Anyone who tells me that drink advertisements do not glamorise drink for young people has not followed the advertisements broadcast on television.

Similarly, alcohol sponsorship must be addressed because drinking is presented as a laddish or macho thing to do. The vast majority of cases of domestic violence involve violence by men against women. If we are serious about addressing violence, we should be brave enough to tell the powerful drinks lobby that we can do more to address the issue of alcohol in society. Our tolerance of alcohol abuse is far too high.

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