Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes raised the matter of domestic violence and Women's Aid. I accept there is a need for a debate on the issue. I was at the press conference and heard the speech by the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Fahey. Senator Mary White was also present. The Minister of State told Women's Aid that it was getting its increase. I heard him say this, so I am not relaying something told to me by others. The chairperson of Women's Aid thanked the Minister of State.

The Senator is correct that the organisation had not received an increase for a long time. However, as the debate has developed, I have been struck by how quickly a misconception can arise about something even though the Minister of State spoke publicly to the 40 or 50 people who were present. He said that the organisation was being granted an increase in funding. I met Deputy Fahey afterwards and asked if he had the money. He said he had and that Women's Aid was very deserving because it has not had an increase in funding for years. There is a need for a debate on the wider issue because the rate of domestic violence continues to rise. Women's Aid published a very useful booklet on the incidence and nature of domestic violence and it was very telling, although the facts were put very simply. I will endeavour to arrange to have a debate on the matter.

Senator Brian Hayes also raised Item No. 19, motion No. 21 regarding the groceries order, about which a misconception has arisen. An excellent debate involving 21 speakers occurred at the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party meeting last night. The meeting began at 5.30 p.m. and continued until approximately 8 p.m. If the Senators had heard the lucid and clear arguments they would have been overawed.