Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I dtús báire, gabhaim beannachtaí na féile leis an gCathaoirleach, le gach ball den Oireachtas, agus leis na daoine a oibríonn i dTeach Laighin ach go háirithe. Ba mhaith liom an rud céanna a rá le na teaghlaigh i nDáilcheantar Chontae Lú agus deisceart na Mí. Ní bheidh na beannachtaí sin le fáil ag gach clann i rith an ama seo den bhliain. Caithfimid na clainn sin a choimeád inár gcuimhne. Tá a lán daoine ag obair go deonach chun cabhrú leo le linn an ama seo. Gabhaim buíochas leis na hoibrithe deonacha, go háirithe na daoine a oibríonn le daoine a fhulangaíonn foréigean sa bhaile.

Ní raibh mé ag caint ar maidin ach ba mhaith liom labhairt faoin easpa dídine freisin. Caithfimid cuimhniú ar na daoine sin an t-am seo den bhliain. Bhí dhá agallamh agam leis an Aire faoin easpa prótacal atá i bhfeidhm a bhaineann le daoine a thagann go dtí stáisiún na ngardaí. Dúirt mé leis nach mór dúinn athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na prótocail sin agus iad a fheabhsú. Is é mo thuairim féin nach fiú na prótocail a fheabhsú amháin ach ní mór go mbeadh líne teileafóin ar fáil gach lá chun cabhrú le daoine. Ba chóir go mbeadh siad ábalta dul go dtí an stáisiún agus go mbeadh dochtúir agus duine chun éisteacht leo ann nuair atá siad faoi bhrú.

I have spoken to the Minister on two occasions on the issue of the protocols in respect of domestic violence, or indeed any situation in which people are under massive pressure and need the assistance of An Garda Síochána. An Garda does excellent work but needs to continue to improve the protocols in respect of people visiting Garda stations. I know they can be busy places, but the issues of domestic violence and rape cause people trauma. It is not that there are not protocols, it is just that they need to be improved to ensure speedy transition. I know the Minister has given a commitment to look at that.

I have not raised this issue to be repetitious. I have listened attentively, within the Chamber and without, to the contributions of the many speakers across the parties. The Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, pointed out that this issue affects every society and that this Bill has the support of everybody in this House. Whether the issue is homelessness, housing or domestic violence, we need to visit and revisit it, discuss it and express the views of the people we represent. Finally, guím beannachtaí na féile ar na Teachtaí. Gabhaim buíochas leo uilig as an obair a dhéanann siad.

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