Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry I was not present for the Minister's contribution and I hope she will forgive me if my contribution does not reflect comments she made.

According to the recent report of the Garda Inspectorate on crime investigation, "Domestic violence is a high volume incident that requires particular attention," and its victims "are some of the most vulnerable and intimidated victims of crime and for this reason, need a higher level of support and protection". However, the same report showed how little support is offered to victims of domestic violence in Ireland, laying bare a serious and dangerous lack of investigation, reporting or follow-up on the part of the Garda in many such cases. For example, between January and September 2012, of the 10,373 calls classed as domestic violence-sexual assault by the Garda, reports were carried out in less than half of the cases. Furthermore, some domestic violence incidents and the injuries sustained are not even recorded on the PULSE system, meaning that an incident of rape reported to the force could go unrecorded, almost as if it never happened.

According to the inspectorate report, domestic violence "often accounts for half of all murders committed". In 2014, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights published a study on violence against women, which highlighted that 15% of Irish women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a partner since the age of 15. The National Women's Centre Ireland states that of the 204 women killed in Ireland since 1996, the majority were killed in their own homes, and more than half by a partner or ex-partner. While there is policy in place in respect of the response to domestic violence, the inspectorate report found little evidence that it is effectively monitored to ensure its proper implementation at operational level. This glaring disconnect between policy and practice is putting lives in danger and urgently needs to be addressed.

Clearly, from the victim's point of view, reporting incidents of domestic violence is very painful and risky in itself, leading the majority of them to avoid doing so, or to suffer several incidents before breaking their silence. Statistics from the National Study of Domestic Abuse show that less than a quarter of those severely affected by domestic abuse tell the Garda. The inspectorate report found that in many cases where domestic violence victims find the courage to report incidents to the Garda, the quality of service provided depended on the attitude of the attending garda and, in a large number of cases "the approach was one of disinterest or aimed at limiting Garda involvement in investigating further". Victims have been told to "let him sleep it off" or that "there's two of them in it". Domestic violence calls have been referred to as "problematic", "time-consuming" and "a waste of time".

However, many gardaí provide a good service to victims and help them to obtain the protection they need but reform is urgently needed. We need ongoing effective training for gardaí in dealing with the sensitivities and nuances of domestic violence cases, the implementation of a victim-centred policy and effective monitoring of investigative policies. We also need to sign and ratify the Istanbul Convention, although the Minister may have said that will happen in the new year, which is welcome.

I wish everyone a happy Christmas.

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