Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I appreciate, as he outlined, that much has been done in this area, especially in the past 12 to 18 months. However, we are discussing this issue in a context where the trend is clear. There has been a significant increase in violence against women in recent years. The statistics show that 12 women died violently in 2022, which is the highest number since 2007. I can speak from a west Cork perspective. The statistics for the area show that in 2019, 48 cases of rape or sexual assault were reported. That number increased to 70 in 2020 and to 105 in 2021. There is a clear and obvious trend there and the number of such incidents is increasing.

Not long ago, we had an emotional session of statements in this House in response to the death of Aisling Murphy. Women talked about having to carry keys with them as they went about their daily business. There is a real urgency here. The Minister mentioned that the agency will be established in January but I hope he realises the need for urgency.

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