Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Istanbul Convention aims to prevent and combat violence against women. We have a deplorable record in this country of addressing this issue over the generations. We are in a happy and positive situation at the moment where we have more women around the Cabinet table than ever before. I see that as a positive development. Yet, the Tánaiste's Government has not tackled this issue in a comprehensive and holistic manner to date. The Minister for Justice and Equality has made some positive sounds about the Istanbul Convention. Will it be signed shortly? Has it been discussed by Cabinet? Is it correct that the Taoiseach gave previous undertakings to have a Cabinet subcommittee investigate this and has it been examined at all by a Cabinet subcommittee?

My colleague, Deputy McConalogue, quite correctly raised the issue of the primary online database, POD, system in the Department of Education and Skills. As a parent, I was astonished to discover that one of the questions on that questionnaire is whether the child is of white Irish, black Irish or Asian origin. What in the name of God has that issue to do with the data that must be collected around educational disadvantage?

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