James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank both Deputies for raising this very important issue. I am glad to have the opportunity to address the House on the matter. I am aware of the media reports being referred to by the Deputies. I am extremely concerned about the issue itself and about the wider issue it spotlights, that of women’s safety on university campuses. This is a matter of critical importance. As I said, I am glad to have the opportunity to address this issue and take this Topical Issue here today.

In Government, I have worked to advance issues concerning women’s safety. Before I was ever a Minister, as a backbench TD I campaigned for the introduction of Coco’s law and brought that through committee when serving as chair of the justice committee in the last term. This included legislation to criminalise sharing of intimate images, as well as combating cyberbullying and many other unacceptable behaviours. I worked with the then Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, to advance legislation on gender-based violence and domestic violence, on women’s shelters, to improve support for victims in sexual abuse trials, and in many other areas where we attempt to advance this cause. As well as the legislative agenda, we had several elective sessions at the committee. I recognise the support of colleagues from all sides of the House and thank them for participating in those engagements.

That was essential to ensuring significant attention and focus was placed on these topics.

It is unequivocally unacceptable and shameful that any woman - indeed any individual - should face harassment of any kind while in their place of study or student accommodation. These are places where people who are typically young, and often vulnerable, are making their initial entry into the world of adulthood. This kind of activity is absolutely abhorrent for anybody to experience. Everyone should feel they have a safe environment in which they can study, free from violence and harassment. More broadly, individuals should feel free to exist, work, study and live their lives free from harassment. This is a basic ask of any society.

It is critical that higher education institutions, and all other places of work and study, take proactive steps when issues of concern are brought to their attention. Deputies will be aware that universities are autonomous under our code in Ireland but I state very clearly on the record of the Dáil that there is an expectation they would take proactive steps. Furthermore, it is clear that, unfortunately, despite best efforts, Ireland is not yet where we need to be on this. That is why the programme for Government stated clearly that tackling the epidemic of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will remain a major priority. My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Deputy O'Callaghan, will continue the work of his predecessor, Deputy McEntee, in taking this forward.

Government efforts are nationally centred around Cuan, the agency established last year to drive forward progress on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Its establishment was a major milestone and I want to acknowledge that, as well as the work of the previous Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the current Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, going forward in that area.

There are three points I want to highlight with regard to university campuses. The Higher Education Authority, HEA, which is under my remit, works closely with higher education institutions in seeking to promote a campus culture that is safe, respectful and supportive. This is part of Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence 2022-26, which was adopted in the last Dáil. It is assisted by the 2019 framework document for consent in higher education institutions and further led out by individual institution action plans on the issue. All publicly funded institutions have been instructed in this regard and have put in place those plans, or certainly should have done so and be implementing them.

Further, support has been provided in respect of sexual violence and harassment prevention and response manager posts, with 16 individuals appointed to these positions. These are now in higher education institutions and that is a really significant leap forward. Those posts did not previously exist and those 16 people are now tasked with addressing these types of behaviours and proactively preventing them from occurring, as well as creating environments where such behaviours are unacceptable. They drive forward prevention and response efforts on sexual violence and harassment. My Department provides funding of €1.5 million for these posts.

The Speak Out online anonymous reporting tool is in place for staff, students and visitors of higher education institutions to report incidents of harassment or bullying. The office was recently established in Trinity College Dublin and is funded by my Department.

In short, I am equally abhorred and shocked by these reports. I hope my initial remarks have shown my commitment that of my Department to tackle this behaviour across the board.

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