Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Social Democrats on bringing this motion forward. Obviously there needs to be understanding and the delivery of a zero-tolerance policy when we talk about domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. I commend Natasha O'Brien, who has done huge work to highlight what was absolutely necessary. She pointed out some of the issues regarding how victims or survivors are dealt with by the system in general and the fact there is a need to examine sentencing guidelines and make sure we deal with that.

In the past couple of days, as Deputy Ward said, we have had a reminder of Ireland's past in regard to some of these issues.

Another sporting organisation has huge questions to answer about women who were failed in an absolutely shameful way.

We have to deal with the issue of the taxi driver. It is not even worth naming him. We have issues with predators out there and we need to make sure protections are in place. We all rely on taxis all the time. Most taxi drivers are good, decent people. We need to make sure we have a system that can catch and not allow for circumstances like this, where someone has shown to be a predator. We need to ensure we protect both good taxi drivers and people out there, particularly women, and we do not have them in an incredibly intolerable situation. Again, we need to make sure we have a system that catches issues such as this.

I have spoken to the Minister and have said that she has put a huge emphasis on this issue. That is important. However, I think we will also accept that when we talk about the lack of refuges throughout the State, we do not currently have the data that is required. As much as we are frightened by the fact there is an increase in the amount of reporting of domestic violence, we do not have all the information necessary. It is only when we have that information and we know the absolute need that we can provide the services required. At times I, like many others, go Dundalk Counselling Centre, Women’s Aid in Dundalk and Rape Crisis North East. They are always under pressure to be able to deliver. I go to the Garda and, at times, we have an excellent service that is provided. However, we are talking about under-resourcing related to the existing need and we have to be able to deliver on it. We need to make a point of having that information and data, and providing it.

Housing is an issue and we need to look at best practice throughout the world. We have seen that some of our partners have done much better.

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