Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish everyone a happy International Women's Day, especially my wife, Sue, my mother, my sisters and Danielle O'Shea in my constituency office, who does incredible work behind the scenes.

Speaking today is particularly poignant for me, as I remember our dear friend and comrade, Rita O'Hare. Rita was the epitome of a good comrade and determined activist. Throughout her life and in whatever task was put before her, she worked hard and diligently. In her work in the United States, she held the room with presidents, secretaries of state, taoisigh and prime ministers. I worked closely with her for three years in Sinn Féin and it was an honour to do so. I think of her today on International Women's Day.

The battle for gender equality has been a hard-fought one through the generations and it is one that continues today, but in some spheres, great progress has been made. Not so many years ago, it would have been difficult to envisage a day when three of the political parties in this Chamber were led by women. It is something that, in our time, we see as unremarkable. People reach these positions on their merit and based on their hard work. Not so long ago, though, it would have been unimaginable for many. That is a measure of progress, and long may it continue, but there remain many areas where progress needs to be made.

I welcome the domestic violence leave Bill and the confirmation that victims will be allowed paid leave. I commend Women's Aid, the National Women's Council and trade unions, which have been advocating for survivors to ensure the legislation is fit for purpose. Not only is this the correct thing to do for victims, but it will raise awareness of the issue. Along with my colleague, Deputy McDonald, we introduced a Bill in 2019 on domestic violence leave. I commend my colleague, Deputy O'Reilly, who reintroduced the Bill, on her tireless work on the issue over the years. Looking at the statistics, there can be no doubt domestic violence remains a serious threat to people. However, the Government's legislation will put victims at risk. It needs to be strengthened to ensure victims are protected. As Women's Aid has highlighted, maintaining normal rates of pay for victims who avail of domestic violence leave is in line with international best practice, where this type of leave is well established.

In my home city of Limerick, figures provided to me show that the number of women categorised as the "injured party" of a domestic abuse incident has risen year on year. In 2016, the figure was 165. By 2019, it had risen to 245. Domestic violence is not normal and should never be normalised. It is an attack in the place one should feel safest, that being, the home. It is an attack by one with whom a person should feel safest.

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