Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy said, the report by Women's Aid published yesterday detailed horrific instances of domestic violence and abuse, thousands of cases of women who had reported to that organisation the most horrendous abuse experienced by them.

It is a very sad and disturbing report, which shows what the Taoiseach noted yesterday is often a hidden Ireland. Thankfully, more and more women are coming forward to get the kinds of supports that they need. In reply to the Deputy's question, I am the Minister who signed the Istanbul convention last year and who is going to ensure that we ratify it as soon as certain Bills come through and some other work is done. The domestic violence legislation is a consolidated Bill and a huge amount of work has been done on it. That work continues and I will be in a position to publish it early next term.

The prescribed drugs legislation has been fast-tracked by the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, and has gone to Cabinet. It will be published next Tuesday. In that regard, we would like to thank all of the Opposition spokespeople who have been involved in supporting the development of that legislation. I hope they can ensure its speedy passage through the House before the summer recess. It is very important, not just in terms of the north inner city where it certainly impacts, but throughout Ireland where dealing in prescription drugs needs to be stopped. This legislation will support An Garda Síochána.

I take the points that were made on Brexit. The whole situation in regard to Northern Ireland is key for our hope that the vote is "Yes", but it is, of course, a matter for the voters in England.

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