Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree that it is about improving the criminal justice system, providing resources for the Garda and making sure we have stronger laws, but there also are educational and information aspects. For the Deputy's daughter or anybody else going out, it is about knowing who one can turn to and the resources and supports that are available. Knowing the Garda is there to support people is hugely important. A major part of the domestic violence strategy that will be published in the coming weeks will be a focus on education, national awareness-raising campaigns and making sure information is available to citizens but also to the Garda. We see pockets of really fantastic work happening where gardaí are working with local community groups, refuge accommodation providers locally and the various domestic violence support groups, linking in with the legal profession and schools, to highlight the challenges and dangers that are out there for younger people, particularly when they are socialising at night. It is really important that we play our role in this House in resourcing and strengthening the laws, but there also is a wider societal aspect. We had a fantastic discussion about this recently, in which we recognised that we all, men and women, need to play our part.

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