Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is no problem. I welcome the Minister of State. This is an extremely important debate. There is not enough discussion of domestic violence, which takes so many forms and which affects those of all social classes. I accept that it may affect one social class more than another but it obtains across the board. Domestic violence takes many forms. A person, for example, might not have a black eye but she may be suffering this type of violence, which can often be hidden and which can take many forms such as verbal abuse, financial abuse, denial of contact with family or friends, etc. We are all familiar with the film "The Field" and the silent treatment meted out across the kitchen table by the main character. That is a form of abuse which is hidden from view. People are often too afraid to speak up about being abused and are not aware of the supports that may be available to them. Senator O'Keeffe was very eloquent when referring to the many services which could be made available but which are not currently available. We all recognise the position in this regard. The Minister of State referred to the four goals and the strategy relating to prevention. A great deal is being done but there is also much more to do.

A previous speaker referred to gardaí visiting particular homes nine or ten times and seeking witnesses because it is often a case of taking the word of one spouse or partner against that of the other. Women can sometimes be at a particular disadvantage if the witness's statement is taken in front of the abuser. There is a need for privacy in this regard.

Women always want to protect their children and will go to great lengths in the context of suffering abuse for the sake of their families. People must be made aware that there are services of which they can avail and that their children will be protected and will be able to continue to attend school. There is no point in informing a person who has suffered abuse that the local refuge is full and that she can try the refuge in the neighbouring county.

If the child cannot continue with friends, family and school it will stop a person taking up an offer of availability in another refuge. We need to consider all of these issues and see how to address them.

It is often the case that all people are looking for is a safe house. I realise we would prefer all services with bells on them, including counselling and whatever, but initially a basic safe house may be enough in circumstances where a woman is abused. I acknowledge the abuse of men as well because there are circumstances of male abuse but predominately it is a case of the abuse of women. What is needed is a safe house where a person can go to hide away for a period of two or three weeks until the main services are available. Often this is what people are looking for.

The Minister of State referred to the various changes in the Domestic Violence Acts 1996 and 2000 which the Minister with responsibility for justice has brought forward. The Minister of State has referred to these and therefore I will not dwell on them. The Minister referred to the second amendment of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 which extends protection to same-sex couples. I welcome the fact that Ireland has successfully negotiated an agreement with the European Parliament on the European protection order, a civil law measure which will ensure that victims of domestic violence and other forms of violent harassment and intimidation can avail of national protection when they travel to other member states. This was one of the difficulties. Some time back the Immigrant Council of Ireland referred to this issue and the arrangements have been changed and I welcome that. The Minister of State also referred to the Courts Bill 2013.

I acknowledge the work of non-governmental organisations. There are two representatives in the Visitors Gallery today from Women's Aid and SAFE Ireland. I acknowledge all of the work that has been done by them, often on a wing and a prayer. The Minister of State made reference to guaranteed funding for various organisations. Organisations must make five-year plans for funding the facilities they will be able to make available either by way of counselling or education and all of the things we want to do and which are in the programme for Government. Non-governmental organisations play a major role in ensuring that these services are put in place. The Saoirse Women's Refuge in Tallaght plays a great role in this regard. These organisations need to be assured that the funding they receive today will continue tomorrow and in five years' time in order that they can plan. I am not referring to the services that we should be making available, including further safe houses and so on.

Other speakers have referred to the signing of the Istanbul convention at the Council of Europe. There is no point in signing or ratifying a convention and then leaving it on the shelf if a country cannot put it into play. The convention is to be welcomed but we must ensure that we are in a position to put it into play. I call on the Minister of State to tease out further the problem in respect of its constitutionality and the difficulty we have with it. The Minister of State referred to barring orders and I call on him to outline the position in more detail. It would be great if we could ratify the convention in the year when we have the EU Presidency. We should push the boat out as far as we can. It would send the right signal to the effect that we are serious about this.

This is a major problem. Up to 100,000 cases are not reported and there are still more cases where those involved do not come forward at all. They cannot be counted and they do not want to be counted for the sake of their families. I thank the Minister of State and welcome him. I believe we are going forward with a holistic, all-inclusive response to this major problem.