Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I only have a couple of minutes. It is certainly not enough time to speak to the enormity of the problem of violence against women in Ireland. First, I wish to give my sincere condolences to the family of Ashling Murphy and to her partner and friends. Their loss is unimaginable and we are all thinking of them at this very difficult time.

Since Ashling was murdered, we have been hearing an outpouring of anger from women. We know that violence against women and the threat and fear of violence is pervasive in Irish society. It always has been and it affects all women. We have heard that loud and clear. Irish society has reacted to the death of Ashling with revulsion. The calls for change across the country are deafening. This is a decisive moment in Irish society and we must take action. We cannot go back to business as usual after this. Women simply will not accept it this time around.

I acknowledge that the Government is talking about taking steps to deal with this with the political leaders meeting and the role of the office of the Taoiseach in implementing change. That is all welcome. It has to be backed up with action, however. Services need to be properly funded. Rape crisis centres need to be sure that they can answer every single call. We need enough refuge places to ensure that no woman is ever turned away again. Tusla provides just one third of the refuge places that Ireland is obligated to provide under the Istanbul Convention and nine counties have no domestic violence refuge place at all. Practically every Member has raised that point and that speaks volumes in itself.

We need a commitment that the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will be fully implemented and properly funded after it is published. Further to this, we need to address wider issues relating to women's safety, family courts, appropriate and safe housing and education for our young people. We need a joined-up approach to bring about real systemic change. This cannot be another case of promising change and not delivering. Women have a right to be safe wherever they are - when they are working, socialising, exercising and in their own homes. I hope that we can all work together in this because it has to happen now.

My colleague, Deputy Conway Walsh, asked earlier that this issue be brought back to the floor of the House every couple of months in order that we can discuss additional changes and measures and get an update on progress. I am hopeful and I am sure the Minister will agree to do that.

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