Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank my party colleagues Deputies O'Reilly and McDonald for introducing this Bill. I welcome the Government's decision not to oppose it tonight. Sinn Féin is committed to standing up for people who need us and who need this legislation.

I would like to mention all the individuals and organisations that offer support, including my club, St. Vincent's Camogie Club, and Mr. Liam Cotter from Cork, who is running 100 miles per week for 12 consecutive weeks to raise money for Mná Feasa. Groups and individuals have stepped in to support victims and organisations that support victims where the Government has failed and is not providing enough funding to support them.

In budget 2021, an allocation of €175,000 was pledged for initiatives for victims of domestic violence and the LGBTI community. This shows exactly what the Government thinks of the most vulnerable in society. The LGBTI community and victims of domestic violence should not be lumped together. These are separate groups in need of separate funds, particularly at a time when the Garda has informed us domestic violence is on the increase. I know this from attending the policing committees in Cork. The budgetary measure is an insult to both groups, despite repeated calls for further allocations.

It is all well and good coming in here and not opposing this Bill tonight but we need Government support. Deputies O'Reilly and McDonald have stated we want to work with all Deputies, of all parties and none, to get this Bill across the line because it is about supporting victims. I was contacted by a person who told me they did not go into work, or phoned in sick, because they had marks on their face. The person was ashamed of going to work. This legislation will give such a person an opportunity to have the time she or he needs.

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