Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I already saw a reply the Minister made to another Deputy which referred to the cost of €1 million for such a report. I am amazed that the lack of €1 million is considered a deterrent and barrier to carrying out vital research over three years. It is not just to see if things have changed. It is also to see what has been the experience of women and others who have suffered domestic violence in the courts and with the Garda. We know there is significant under-reporting of the issue.

In terms of the argument concerning research versus front-line delivery, how can we tackle a problem if we do not know the extent of it? Moreover, I believe we need to advertise the fact throughout society that violence against women in any shape or form is unacceptable. That is not the current culture in society. In light of the recent murder-suicide case, which is the ultimate act of domestic violence and is not perhaps recognised as such by the media and society, it is all the more important that the issue would be investigated by the Department.

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