Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish all women a very happy International Women's Day, especially my mother, my wife Angela, my daughter Kerry and all my friends and comrades. I think in particular of my mother, who raised seven children in the north inner city in circumstances of great difficulty, as did many women at that time. She really did a fantastic job in extremely difficult circumstances.

I extend my solidarity to women across the world who are experiencing violence, fear, threats or intimidation in their homes, communities, cities or countries. In particular, I extend my solidarity to the women of Ukraine, Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan, as well as those in all other parts of the world where there is war and occupation by bigger and more powerful countries, in their struggle for justice and peace. The pictures of tens of thousands of women and children fleeing war in Ukraine are heart-breaking. We constantly see similar pictures of women in Palestine, Yemen and Afghanistan who are fighting for civil and political rights while also raising their families. We saw the same in our country for many decades in the Northern Six Counties of Ireland under British state oppression.

A short while ago, following the brutal murder of Ashling Murphy, Deputies stood in this Chamber and made promise after promise that this would never happen again. We were repeatedly told neither funding nor resources would be a problem. Unfortunately, I do not see a significant focus on ensuring that everyone who is experiencing domestic violence will have a safe place to go when they need it.

I commend women whom I have met through the years who are the backbone of the struggle against oppression. I refer to those in the anti-drugs movement, seeking civil and political rights or fighting against inequality, injustice and poverty using community development structures that, sadly, have largely been scrapped. There is much to celebrate on International Women's Day. However, there is still so much more road to travel to achieve equality, economic and social justice for all women.

I listened intently to the contribution of Deputy Alan Farrell. His analysis of the inequalities women are facing was spot on but imagine what he could have done if he were in government for the past decade or more. Oops, he was. Sorry.

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