Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A new report into familicide and domestic homicides in Ireland has issued its recommendations today. They include establishing a domestic and family violence death review process. This report is historic, and I commend all those who ensured that this groundbreaking work took place. It was secured following tireless campaigning from families who have been affected by this devastating violence. It is the culmination of many years of work by the late Norah Gibbons, whom we remember, and Maura Butler, as chairs of the team that produced the report, and I commend both women. The report came after determined advocacy from those working within the sector, who were determined to see this moment finally come and to ensure that no other family would feel the same agony to which they have been subjected.

Familicide is an utterly devastating crime. This devastating violence cuts through families in the most cruel way. Families across Ireland live in its shadow as they struggle to comprehend the magnitude of their loss. The truth is that this State has been an outlier for too long in how it has failed to take a robust approach to addressing such crimes. The report recommends establishing the domestic and family violence death review process. It recommends that a national database be established for reporting on violent family deaths. It also recommends a new agency for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence as well as better training for people supporting families affected. Importantly, it also recommends that practical supports be put in place for families in the immediate aftermath of a violent death and in the longer term.

I welcome every single one of these important recommendations. It is crucial that they are now enacted without delay in order that real and meaningful change is delivered. Families have waited for so long already for these recommendations to come to light. This groundbreaking report cannot be allowed to gather dust on a shelf or be siphoned off to one Department. We need to see urgency, a clear plan and a timeline for action. That means an all-of-government approach. In the North, domestic violence homicide reviews have been in place for some time now, so the Government might usefully look at what has worked well in the North and what can be improved in order that families get the very best support possible.

Tá an iomarca teaghlach scriosta de bharr finemharaithe. Molaim a bhfeachtas. Níor staon siad dá n-iarrachtaí ag an Rialtas chun córais chearta, láidre a chur i bhfeidhm chun dul i ngleic leis na coireanna uafásacha seo. Tá an tuarascáil ar an bhforéigean seo foilsithe agus tá gealltanais shoiléire ag teastáil ó na teaghlaigh seo go dtiocfaidh athrú ar an gcóras. The Government has published this report. When will the recommendations become reality? Will the Government ensure that this is implemented urgently in order that families can get the support they need without any further delay?

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