Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I echo the comments of Deputies Adams and O'Callaghan. Domestic violence is a particularly heinous crime. In Ireland, our understanding of it as a society has evolved in recent years. It is not terribly long ago that it was not possible for someone to be charged with raping a partner or spouse. It is extraordinary to think that this was ever the case. There has been a lot of change since then but until relatively recently there was quite a dangerous misconception in parts of society that the fact that violence or aggression occurred in a home or between two people who were supposed to love each other, could be considered a mitigating factor. On the contrary, it is rightly considered to be a very serious aggravating factor and this legislation reflects that. It is an act of the greatest betrayal and appalling violence. There are still significant problems here and elsewhere of violence against women and children. Much needs to be done to address that.

I welcome this Bill, which is good legislation. I have already commended SAFE Ireland, Women's Aid and the Rape Crisis Networks on their work on it. They successfully lobbied the Department on many issues. Nevertheless, there is more to do. It is important to ratify the Istanbul Convention, we need to ensure that the protective services unit is properly resourced and other legislative interventions are required. It is important to ensure funding for the sexual abuse and violence in Ireland, SAVI, report. I also commend two institutions that are often criticised for their work on this, namely, the Department of Justice and Equality and the Seanad. It is fair to say that the Seanad has earned its corn on this legislation. It brought in several significant amendments which improved this legislation. Nevertheless, there is a great deal more to do.

The Minister referred to the review that is beginning in relation to sexual offences. It is not quite the same area but there are close connections in the area of violence against women and sexual offences. I have a proposal for the Minister. Yesterday evening, it was announced that a similar review would be undertaken in the North. This is a unique opportunity which would allow us a close alignment between the legal situation as exists here and in the North in any reviews that take place. Naturally, any changes should be upward and there should be no diminution of protections if stronger protections exist in this jurisdiction as opposed to the North, but there is room for close collaboration to ensure as much commonality as possible and I hope that will take place.

I welcome this legislation. It is important legislation but we must go beyond it in terms of resources and further legislation to ensure that domestic violence is something that is not acceptable in our society and is properly prosecuted.

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