Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Government published in 2022 a five-year zero-tolerance strategy and has established Cuan, the agency which we agreed with all involved in the sector would deliver on this ambition. It has an overall budget of €59 million for 2024. I pay tribute again to Natasha O'Brien and Bláthnaid Raleigh and others who have come forward to tell their stories. More and more, the focus has to switch more to the victim's journey in the criminal justice system. The O'Malley report identified significant improvements that could happen in respect of the victim's journey through the entire criminal justice system. In Bláthnaid Raleigh's case, five years of her life were suspended, in essence, before justice could be served. That is too long. There are very serious issues with that entire system in alleviating and reducing trauma and ensuring the trauma is not prolonged.

This is not just all talk. Members on all sides of the House have families. Some are married; others are not. Some of us find it incomprehensible that men can visit such violence upon women. The nature of the attacks we have witnessed are absolutely appalling. We have discussed this as to what is happening with our younger population in terms of their access online to a whole range of materials which could either reflect brutalising attitudes or create new attitudes. These are fundamental issues that society collectively has to work on. The Government has the major responsibility, which I accept, in dealing with this issue, but it is multifaceted.

The Deputy referenced the Defence Forces. The 68 cases do not all relate to gender-based violence. Approximately six cases relate to domestic incidents or breaches of barring orders, and approximately 24 cases relate to assault generally. Approximately five relate to sexual assault and one is pending. In respect of any conviction, even before an appeal is heard, I did make an instruction, and that has been followed through, because there was an inconsistency in application of the local leave mechanism.

However, they are all on local leave. I just wanted to make sure there was no doubt about that. I have to make the point that not all 68 are in that category. While I do not mean to distinguish them in any way, as those in society who are charged with protecting society, there is a special onus on the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána and we have to apply certain standards.

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