Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I can relate to the woman Senator Norris referred to a minute ago. Yesterday was the 90th anniversary of the 1918 election that produced the First Dáil. In that context, we should evaluate the current Oireachtas Commission's outreach programme to see if it will target the participation of women in politics. Yesterday's events proved how long it has taken to raise the percentage of women participating in politics — the number of women who participated in parliament only half filled the Dáil Chamber. I hope that in the coming decade that percentage will improve. It is a hardy annual and the chestnut that is raised after every election. Local elections will be held in June 2009 and we should consider the matter from a cross-sectoral viewpoint as well as the political and educational perspectives. In addition, we must consider the work of the Oireachtas Commission to see if there is a mechanism to tease out the problems and increase the percentage of women participating in politics.

On a different but related note, this is the final day of the international campaign to recognise the issue of domestic violence. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House to discuss the matter. Since 1996, 146 women have been murdered in the Republic of Ireland. Some 92 of them were killed in their own homes, and 107 of the murders were resolved. Some 50% of the victims were murdered by a partner or ex-partner, while 40 were killed by someone they knew — in other words, a relation or acquaintance. This week we discussed the serious issue that arose in East Wall, but domestic violence is going on all the time. It merits a particular focus and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform should be invited to address the House as soon as possible.

I agree with Senator Donohoe that we need a broad sectoral approach to parenting and children. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform should examine the implementation of the Children Act which places responsibility on parents for the negative actions of their children. I wonder how many people have been through that system to date because the legislation has been in place for some time? I do not believe it is being pursued, however.