Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A couple of things strike me. The first is that it was not worth Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn's time submitting amendments. It is clear they will not be accepted. That is probably a result of an effort to get this Bill passed before we break for Christmas.

I have a second, more important point. If an Irish citizen was afraid to report acts of domestic violence but had to go through the hoops described, we would be banging our fists on counters in protest. It would not be acceptable in the case of an Irish citizen nor should it be acceptable for vulnerable people coming to this country as refugees.

I understand the fear that exists. The fear is that there might be sham marriages. People might come in pretending to be married and then, lo and behold, they separate. There is a different way to deal with that issue and that is what should happen rather than putting impediments and bureaucracy in the way of a partner who is the victim of domestic violence. I urge the Minister of State to reconsider these simple amendments. I do not think there will be any unforeseen consequences arising from the amendments but they would add much humanity to the Bill and much understanding to the pressurised situations refugees can find themselves in.

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