Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

I am sure copies will be made available.

The oversight committee is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Seán Aylward. It will meet twice yearly and will report progress to the group of Secretaries General and the Government.

The national strategy is being published at a time of great economic difficulty for our country and some would say that restricted resources will militate against its effective implementation. The strategy, however, takes account of the difficult economic climate. The implementation of actions in the strategy should not involve a great financial outlay. What it will involve is a new approach to working and interagency co-operation. This is very timely, particularly as this is a period when all organisations are reviewing their purpose and how they work. A successful implementation of this strategy will help to increase efficiency and effectiveness. It will also reduce the financial burden on the State that arises as a result of domestic violence. The latter is, of course, in addition to the horrific personal human cost. Recognising the economic challenges, and the current state of interventions in Ireland, it is realistic to expect the strategy to provide a strong framework for sustainable intervention to prevent and effectively respond to domestic violence.

All of this action under the national strategy is being taken by those employed in Government Departments, State agencies and NGOs the work of which has a direct impact on victims of domestic violence. However, committed as those organisation may be, we cannot just leave matters to them. Domestic violence is a societal problem and the entire community is affected by it.

At a forum on domestic and sexual violence hosted in Áras an Uachtaráin in October 2008, President McAleese posed a question as to "what we can do as a civic society, as a community, to help further an ongoing national debate around domestic abuse and help turn the tide of this repulsive blight in our land, bringing reassurance and vindication to victims, bringing accountability and the opportunity to change to perpetrators". There was a clear view at that forum that civic society has a vital role to play in addressing not just domestic but also sexual violence.

Victims of domestic violence may become confused by the complexity of their situation or they may find it difficult to navigate across the range of services provided to meet their needs. Regardless of their capabilities, they may lose confidence in their capacity to make the right choice for themselves and their families. It is essential that each person in Irish society should play his or her part in building confidence in victims. They must have confidence that not only will they be believed if they report abuse but that there will be understanding in respect of their circumstances.

We should all be open to listening to a disclosure of domestic violence and we should also know what action to take. With the assistance of the various services working in this area, Cosc has developed a website showing how and where to obtain help. All types of people are affected by domestic violence. As we never know when we may be called on to help, we should be ready to do whatever is in our power. The Cosc website - www.cosc.ie - has useful information to assist people in deciding, depending on the circumstances involved, on the best course of action to take.

Through ongoing development and the commitment of Government Departments and State bodies, working in partnership with all relevant NGOs and supported by a more engaged society, the new national strategy will deliver a strong foundation for an improved system of prevention and response leading to safer lives at home and in our communities. The strategy is not a dry document with the early signs of dust gathering on its cover. It is both a statement of national understanding of the complexity of domestic and sexual violence, as well as a realistic collaborative action plan for the coming five years. Implementation has begun and there are clear commitments which will be met. The strategy sets out a vision of a society that says it will not tolerate, nor remain silent on, domestic, sexual or gender-based abuse or violence in our neighbourhoods and communities. The implementation of this strategy provides a clear direction to achieve this vision. The Government is strongly committed to proceeding with that implementation.