Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

First, on behalf of the Labour Party, I want to express my deep sympathies to the family of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh and just to say what a truly iconic voice he had and how much of a contribution he made in so many ways, in the GAA and sports commentary but also to the Irish language and active retirement. He will be sorely missed.

I also want to wish Deputies Michael McGrath and Jack Chambers well in their new roles and, of course, to express my solidarity with Natasha O'Brien. I was privileged to speak with Natasha. Indeed, I think all of us want to express solidarity with Natasha. I was in attendance on Saturday at the demonstration called at short notice in Dublin where we saw so many people, particularly women, including young women, coming out on the streets to express their deep frustration and anger at the epidemic of violence against women that we have seen and at the sort of second victimisation or re-victimisation that occurs in so many cases through the court process. I welcome the Taoiseach's comments on what will be done in terms of the Defence Forces and his comments on what has been done to tackle gender-based violence, but I ask that we would see a review put in place of the practice of suspending sentences. I am mindful of the separation of powers and of the independence of the Director of Public Prosecutions but the practice of suspending sentences needs to be reviewed.

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