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

I thank Deputies for their unanimous support for this motion to opt into the Commission proposal. As I said out the outset, it is absolutely vital that we opt in, not just to show that we are committed to dealing with this issue but also to make sure, at the very outset, that we are part of the discussion and conversation regarding any changes that may be necessary as this protocol is developed and legislation is drafted in order that it will work with our domestic legislation here and with the legislative basis that exists here.

More generally, there is a lot of work happening. To respond to Deputy Connolly, the strategy will be published with an implementation plan. It is not the case that we will publish the strategy and then have to work it out. What is almost complete - it is in the final stages of sign-off before being published in the next week or two - is a very detailed implementation plan with dates, actions, information on the Departments carrying out those actions, information relating to funding and so on. The plan will be very clearly set out and will take into account all of the things Deputy Connolly mentioned, including the audit, the restructuring that is needed and the drive we need in order to implement change. What is different this time is that it is not a strategy without an implementation plan. We will have all of that together. I appreciate that it is taking longer than people would like but it is a whole-of-government strategy with quite a number of Departments involved. I am sure everyone appreciates that when so many Departments are involved and when one engages in consultation with the public and others a number of times because one wants to get it right, it does, unfortunately, result in delays. It will be published very soon, in a matter of weeks. Definitely before the Dáil finishes up for the recess but probably in the next two weeks.

More generally, a great deal of work is under way in any event, irrespective of the strategy, some of which Deputies have already mentioned. Again, I thank Deputies for their support. This is an other opt-in that has come at short notice. We were not given too much time to pass it through the Houses, but it is really important. We have already opted into the Istanbul Convention. However, there are countries that have not yet ratified it or that are considering pulling out. It is important, therefore, that we show leadership in this regard and are at the table and seen to be leading on what all Deputies here have identified as such an important issue.

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