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

I welcome the Bill. I acknowledge that we would not be here today were it not for the Trojan work of my party colleagues, Deputies Mairéad Farrell and Buckley. They brought forward the original Bill. There are some flaws in the Government Bill which have been pointed out. I ask the Minister to consider the changes put forward.

For too long, people who have been brave enough to speak up in this State have been ignored or let down. In my constituency I am helping a woman who has spoken out about her experience of domestic violence. Her living situation is not safe and that needs to change. However, local authorities seem to be at a loss when it comes to dealing with women in such situations. Despite all the talk of domestic and gender-based violence, we do not always look at the whole effect that it has on a woman's life. I am asking that consideration be given to providing every local authority with funding to employ a domestic violence officer who can provide trauma-informed care and support to those in situations like that of the lady I described.

One issue that whistleblowers raise here time and again is the lack of transparency and accountability. The Government's mishandling of the Keltoi rehab unit which was closed at the beginning of the pandemic and still closed today highlights a lack of transparency. On the one hand, we have a Minister claiming it will be reopened and that there are plans in place to do so. On the other the HSE confirmed only today that there are no plans to reopen it. This was a trauma-informed facility. It was the only one of its kind in the State with a world-standard wraparound care. It needs to be reopened immediately. In fact, more Keltois should be opened across the State. There will be analysis of the consequences of Covid-19. I have been told of people who have lost their lives because of the closure of Keltoi.

It remains closed to this day. I hope the truth will come out and be reported because the individuals who have died tragically, as well as their families, deserve answers.

See this speech in context