Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We take it extraordinarily seriously. The Deputy's constant misrepresentation of the position of the Minister for Justice, time and time again, and indeed some of his commentary on some of the changes she has tried to make and the introduction of wokery into public debate, has certainly not helped, quite frankly. If we are deadly serious about creating a zero-tolerance approach to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, it would be important that Members in this House have the courage to bring about some of the legislative changes that are required in that space. I wish to again reiterate my absolute sympathy to the family of Neno on the most horrific tragedy that has been encountered. I confirm to this House that an active Garda murder inquiry is under way. Indeed, a number of individuals have already been arrested as well.

I agree with the Deputy on one important point. I am concerned about the increased prevalence of violence that we are seeing in Irish society. Shortly after Leaders' Questions today we will have statements on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. There are a number of very serious issues that we need to address, some of which I have heard the Deputy speak passionately about before, including issues with pornography, lack of sex education and how young men are experiencing these issues rather than being informed in a scientific evidence-based way. A lot needs to be done in that space.

I want people watching at home to know that contrary to his characterisation of this Government's position on law and order, this is a Government that has constantly supported garda recruitment. It is a Government that has seen 157 more gardaí graduate from Templemore as recently as last week. It is a Government that despite Covid having closed the Garda college not once but twice, has put a real focus on this. This month we will bring forward our proposals based on what we have heard from front-line gardaí regarding what more we can do to help with recruitment and retention.

We do not have enough prison capacity. That is not by the way meaning that we need to see an increase in incarceration rates. Simply from a population point of view, we do not have enough prison capacity which is why the Minister has received approval to expand prison capacity further. She has done very important work on that. It is why we have put bodycams on gardaí. I was there at the start of that process with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, when they were rolled out in Dublin. It is why we are changing laws on knife crime and why we have changed sentencing for assault causing harm. We are taking absolute action and there is nothing cynical at all about the Minister's commitment to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Even her most ardent opponents would acknowledge that this is an area on which she has placed an incredible focus and shown huge political leadership often in the face of unfair criticism of her on occasion which should be called out for what it is.

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