Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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This evening, my thoughts are, in the first instance, with Ashling Murphy's family, friends, pupils and colleagues at the school, and the whole community in Tullamore who have been through an unimaginable heartbreak. The outpouring of grief for Ashling and the tens of thousands of women and girls who have shared their experience of everyday harassment and violence, and the fear of violence, have sent a clear message to us all - enough is enough. We can all see that this is a watershed moment. The causes are deep-rooted and will need serious consideration if things are to change.

Women and girls have the right to be safe on our streets and in their homes, yet too often they are not. We need to review our society. It is not just an Irish problem but Ireland can lead the way. Our education system, health service, justice system and social media all need reform. We need to fundamentally consider the effect of every aspect of society on our attitudes towards women. None of us wants to look back in one or two years' time having heard of another senseless killing and wonder why things did not change. We have a unique momentum which can overcome all obstacles and deliver real change.

Sinn Féin's motion outlines the immediate measures the Government must implement to tackle harassment and violence against women and girls. The third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is due to be published in approximately six weeks. We need a Government commitment that it will fully implement and fund the strategy. The current pandemic has exposed an epidemic of domestic violence. In Kildare, things are so bad that women and children are being sent to refuges outside the county, even as far away as Drogheda in County Louth. Kildare might be considered lucky because nine counties have no domestic violence shelter at all. That needs to be addressed urgently.

The Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality has recommended that a revised relationships and sexuality curriculum should cover gender power dynamics, consent, and domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Change is needed and failure to address this will cost lives.