Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with every word Deputy McDonald said on this issue. I thank her and Deputy Kerrane for engaging with me on this matter, along with Deputy Feighan. This is a really distressing case. It is important that everybody around the world, including in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, know that we are speaking with one voice in this House on this situation.

An Irish woman - an Irish citizen - has been the victim of horrific male violence. She has been the victim of the most brutal, horrific attack one can imagine. After enduring that horrific, brutal attack, Tori Towey did not wake up in a hospital, being supported, cared for and loved, she woke up in a police station. We want Tori Towey back in this country. We want her back home in Roscommon. That is what she wants as well. It is absolutely my position, as Taoiseach, and that of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs – as I know it is Deputy McDonald's position, and that of everybody in this House – that this is what must now happen, as a matter of urgency.

As Deputy McDonald stated, I did speak directly to Tori this morning, and to her mother, Caroline, who has flown out to be with her daughter at this extraordinarily distressing time. I told them that this is a big priority issue for me and the Government and that I am working on it right now with my officials and with the Tánaiste and his officials. Since we spoke on this matter yesterday, I have also spoken to our ambassador in the area. I acknowledge that the embassy and the ambassador are working extraordinarily hard on this matter. I am very confident of that from a number of engagements I have had with the ambassador and her team over the course of the past 24 hours. My understanding is that the embassy is in ongoing contact with Ms Towey. I checked that this morning. That is essential. It is the least an Irish citizen can expect. The ambassador has been in frequent and intense contact with the ministry for foreign affairs there and with the under secretary. I do not want to say too much more on the record of this House, because I do not want to say anything that cuts across the very intense effort that is under way, other than to assure Deputy McDonald, Tori and her mother, Caroline, and, most importantly, the people of this country that no effort will be spared by us, by Ireland, to make progress on this matter and to get Tori Towey home. She does not need to come home after a court case because she is not a criminal. She is a victim of gender-based violence. We expect her, as an Irish citizen, to be able to return here to Ireland without delay. That is what I, the Tánaiste and the ambassador will be working on throughout the day.

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