Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister. Let me acknowledge the actions that have been taken by Government and the commitment the Minister has made here to the House in respect of Jennie's law and further reform. That is welcome but it is not enough. The evidence on the ground reflects the reality that violence against women and their children is not taken with the seriousness it deserves. Those are the facts on the ground. Women feel unsafe. Women in very dangerous circumstances find it difficult to leave and difficult to access the supports they require. I said to the Minister that we have had 15 years of strategy. What we need now is a step change in delivery and resourcing. Cuan, the statutory agency, is slow. The provision of refuge spaces is slow.

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