Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent Ireland Party) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his appointment and wish the Minister of State the best of luck in his position. I welcome the people in the Gallery.

For people fleeing from domestic violence, services like ADAPT in Limerick are not enough. People in the rural parts of Limerick have to travel to the city to get refuge. This is taking people from where they may have supports locally. We need more places like ADAPT in others areas to help people who are in this situation.

I have a big issue with social media. If we look at social media and at all the different cultures that are shown on it, we can see that it shows that it is acceptable in some cultures for men to hit women. This is being shown on social media even here in Ireland. We have to send out a clear message that this is not acceptable. For Irish people or those of other nationalities who live here, it is not acceptable. We need to send that clear message out.

We watched the Olympic Games recently - and this is where the Government needs to stand up - and saw people who identify as women competing. I have no problem with a person identifying as a woman. I do not have a problem because I respect people. I see two genders, but I respect whatever people are; that is fine. I do, however, have a problem when I see a person who identifies as a woman going into a boxing ring and competing against a woman in circumstances where this is accepted globally.

The Government needs to send out a clear message to everyone that violence against women is not acceptable Violence against men is not acceptable. Violence against children is not acceptable. We have to make sure that the message comes clear and strong from Government that it is not acceptable in Ireland.

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