Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister's comments, particularly regarding stronger legislation that is required. I was going to ask when the Bill will be published and the reason for the delay but, to be fair, the Minister has answered that. She rightly spoke about encouraging women to report incidents of domestic violence. Even in the time we are having this debate, there is no doubt that at least another five or six women are reporting such incidents, so it is absolutely a major crisis.

One aspect that the Minister is examining and which shocked me is what is happening in the courts in Dolphin House. There is a waiting period of at least four months for women reporting issues of domestic violence before it comes to a hearing. In those four months many of the women must live in the home of the perpetrator, with children stuck in an absolutely impossible position. In many cases, these people are intimidated. Does the Minister intend to act, on the suggestion of Women's Aid, to extend eligibility for safety orders to young women in dating relationships?

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