Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

On a number of occasions in this term I called for a debate on domestic violence. I do so again now, especially in light of the launch yesterday of the statistics by Women's Aid, and to support what the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Senator Finucane, said in highlighting the lack of funding available to Women's Aid in particular and to other organisations which deal with women in great difficulties. I recognise that a number of men suffer from domestic violence also, about which we are being constantly told.

Such a debate is timely and in light of the forthcoming budget, I ask the Minister for Finance to look sympathetically on the organisations which deal with women and men experiencing domestic violence and that these organisations be funded sufficiently to deal with the problems. It is not good enough that an organisation like Women's Aid cannot deal with all the calls it receives in its office. We should take this issue seriously knowing, as we do, that many people are in difficult situations and need their problems addressed. I hope we would have such a debate shortly.