Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It was clear from the Garda Inspectorate report that members of An Garda Síochána dealing with domestic violence did not really understand what they were dealing with, and the short, medium and long-term impacts on the victims were simply not considered. When one considers that 11,000 cases were reported last year and that there were 248 arrests, it means only approximately 2% of the cases led to an arrest. That is really shocking. I raise this issue as a male because it is almost always the male who is the perpetrator of the violence against the female.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on this issue sooner rather than later. The 11,000 cases reported last year is a shocking figure, but even more shocking was the inaction of the Garda. I speak as somebody who strongly supports the Garda, but the inaction and the lack of understanding of the impact it has on the victim and the other members of the family should not go unchecked.