Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with many of the sentiments expressed by the Deputy on the matter. Those who beat women shame manhood. It is a crime to beat a woman and those who profess, in their manhood and machismo, that they are doing good by beating women do down themselves, their families and the nation. I am appalled by it. The two words "domestic" and "violence" should never go together. Only last week the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality launched the "What Would You Do?" campaign on domestic violence which is part of the second national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence campaign, 2016 to 2021. It is about prevention, empowerment and support. It offers hope and help to victims of violence and empowers us as witnesses of such violence to find out what we can do to help stop domestic violence and support those caught up in it.

I recently had the privilege to present certificate awards to members of the Traveller community and had a long conversation with some of the women present. They had never spoken about domestic violence, although many of them experienced it. We are now trying in that category to train a number of a counsellors to draw out these women to speak about their experiences and do something about it. We signed the Istanbul Convention on 5 November 2015 and the Government is following a multi-annual action plan to deal with the remaining legislative and administrative issues raised by the Deputy. When implemented, the measures will allow us to ratify the convention. The domestic violence Bill will represent a major step forward on Ireland's path towards ratification. It is at an advanced stage of drafting. It is intended that it will be submitted for Government approval and publication before the end of the year.

Provisions on domestic violence will be brought together in one piece of legislation to make it easier to use. Other improvements made in the Bill include extension of access to an interim barring order for eight working days in an emergency or crisis; a provision that a person will no longer have to have a greater or equal property interest in the property from which a perpetrator is barred; while a victim will be able to bring a friend, family member or support worker into court during proceedings. Additionally, it will be possible for a victim to give evidence by video link to avoid the risk of intimidation or being beaten up by a perpetrator or an associate. The anonymity of a victim, dependants and the perpetrator will be protected in criminal proceedings for breaches of orders, other than where the victim chooses not to be anonymous. This is intended to protect the privacy of a victim. the media will be able to report on proceedings, provided they respect the obligations concerning anonymity. It will also be possible to bar a perpetrator from communicating electronically with a victim.

This is a priority matter for the Minister and the Government and we will follow through on these and other issues.

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