Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes. Ireland's ratification of the Istanbul Convention was a landmark for victims of domestic and gender-based violence and abuse. Ratification is a commitment by this State to protect and support victims in the first instance, and to work towards the eradication of this horrific and insidious crime.

Domestic abuse remains rife in Irish society. Worse still, it continues to be shrouded in shame. One in five women will experience violence in her own home and 41% of women know someone in their circle of family or friends who has experienced partner violence. Men also endure domestic violence or coercive control by an abusive partner, albeit in significantly smaller numbers.

Safe Ireland's message to the Government yesterday was blunt - promises and recycled budgets will not respond to the needs of women and children who are experiencing domestic abuse and coercive control. Safe Ireland's data tells us that nine requests for refuge accommodation went unmet every day last year because services were full. That is 3,256 victims of domestic abuse or violence who, having got themselves to the point of asking for help, were unable to secure safe accommodation and support when they needed it most.

I have seen first hand the incredible work done by the Tallaght-based Saoirse Women's Refuge. It provides short-term crisis refuge accommodation and 24-hour support for up to six families at a time. It also provides an outreach service for women who cannot or do not come to the refuge, as well as post-refuge support. Last year, Saoirse could not accommodate 287 families because the refuge was full. Saoirse also has to rely on fundraising for the general upkeep of its premises. This puts added pressure on an already overworked organisation.

Saoirse also informed me of the stress a woman has to go through in the legal system. The process of obtaining a safety order can be very difficult logistically but also mentally. Often, a physically and mentally abused women will have to bring her already traumatised children into the family law courts. There is no privacy, no space and they often feel unsafe. One woman described to me how the perpetrator sat through the proceedings - these are her words - eyeballing her and leaving her feeling re-traumatised and re-victimised. A simple, humane solution would be to allow a video link from the refuge to the family law court to apply for safety orders. Sinn Féin's alternative budget included an additional capital investment of €9 million for domestic violence refuges and an additional €2.8 million for domestic violence housing support services for 2020.

When speaking at a presentation in support of Sinn Féin's legislation in respect of domestic violence paid leave in the audiovisual room last week, domestic violence advocate Emma Murphy spelt out in plain terms what women face when leaving an abusive relationship. She stated:

She has to look for a safe roof for herself and her children. She most likely will have to see a doctor. She most likely will have to go through therapy or counselling, including for her children. She will have to have a meeting with Tusla regarding the abuse the children have witnessed. She will then have to go to Dolphin House to get an interim safety order, then follow up with a hearing date. She may have to file for maintenance. She will have a meeting with key workers, support workers, social workers and so much more. This is not even mentioning the trauma or distress she is going through inside from leaving her partner.

My colleagues, Deputies McDonald and Quinlivan, introduced legislation last week that provides for a statutory entitlement to ten days domestic violence leave.

This legislation, if enacted, will enable victims of domestic abuse to take the necessary time off work to seek support, find accommodation or attend court in a structured and supported environment. Victims have a right to a pathway out of abuse without fear of losing their jobs. As legislators, it is our responsibility to deliver on that right and ensure the supports and services victims access are in place and properly resourced.

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