Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

In 2023, Women's Aid received its highest ever number of domestic abuse disclosures in its 50-year history. There were 40,048 disclosures of domestic abuse against women and children, which was an increase of nearly 20% in a year. Among the horrors being experienced by women behind closed doors were assaults with weapons, constant surveillance, rape and threats to life. Much of this violence happens in secret. In fact, secrecy is what makes domestic violence so damaging and so endemic. It is why a domestic violence register is so important. The family of Jennie Poole, who was murdered by her former partner in 2021, have led the campaign to create such a register. Before he became the Minister for Justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan supported the family. However, the programme for Government makes no mention of the register. Women need this information. Their lives could depend on it. Why is the creation of a domestic violence register not a priority for this Government?

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