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

I ask the Minister of State to reconsider this. The case for this amendment has been made strongly. Yesterday in the audiovisual room, Members of the House from Opposition and Government parties heard directly from women who are survivors of domestic abuse and have gone through horrendous situations. They spoke passionately about the lack of support for them and the lack of refuge places that have trapped survivors of domestic violence in horrendous situations. Their clear message to all of us as legislators is that we need to do everything we can to support them in every possible way and that they are not consistently getting the support they need and deserve. All this amendment seeks to do is allow some level of flexibility and discretion so that people, usually women in those situations, would have recourse. I cannot possibly see how it is defensible not to allow some level of flexibility and discretion here so that when people are in those terrible situations and need recourse, at least that can be considered. Every Member of this House, across parties, in opposition and government, would surely support what is being attempted to be achieved in this amendment. I ask the Minister of State to reconsider.

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