Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are here again discussing this motion, for which I thank the Social Democrats, but I wonder how many more motions we will need. I do not see the type of progress needed. In this regard, we should bear in mind Natasha O'Brien, Bláthnaid Raleigh and the women of Women of Honour. Like so many others, I watched in absolute horror the footage concerning the women of the FAI, who are absolutely haunted by what happened to them.

The question that came into my mind was why it happened and why did nobody say "stop" or call it out. I wondered how many other organisations are out there where those type of behaviours and crimes are tolerated.

There is the 24-hour rape crisis line. Often women feel they do not fit into a particular category. I wonder whether it is time for an overall national helpline, and a campaign around it, where people can be reassured that they will be heard and supported practically and emotionally in order to be able to come forward and tell their stories. We not only have an epidemic; we have a legacy of what has happened for decades in this country. There is no zero tolerance across communities and in many organisations.

As always, I want to call out the perpetrators of this heinous crime. On every occasion, they have to be told to stop because they are the perpetrators. Of course, they will not stop until there are proper sanctions in place and they know they will not get away with it. The reason they do this is because they know they will get away with it.

I want to speak to the Minister about financial abuse. It is huge across the board. Women's signatures have been forged on cheques and other documents. Many women are trapped in this situation. I ask the Minister to meet the Central Bank and ask it what it is doing about this. The Minister needs to ask what support it can give to women where it is clear that there was financial abuse and women have ended up with huge debts and are put under pressure by banks to pay them back. The banks have a role to play in this.

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