Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was leading the debate for Fine Gael on homelessness yesterday. It was a very positive debate and I do not think anybody sought to make a political football out of it. It is a serious issue and one that we will evaluate and re-evaluate in terms of what is happening. It is ironic that in the week when the Government announced its Construction 2020 strategy, including funding of €3.8 billion for housing and the homeless, this poor man died on the street. We all sympathised yesterday with that sad situation for his family. Initiatives were and are being taken in this regard. It is a question of co-ordination and having all the elements working together.

This is the tenth day of the 16 days of action on violence against women and children organised by ChildFund Ireland. Like homelessness, this matter must be kept on the agenda because it affects people not only in Ireland but also elsewhere around the world. It is estimated that 150 million girls and 73 million boys worldwide are subjected to violence, including rape. ChildFund Ireland is urging every one of us to use our voices during these 16 days. Let us all speak loudly and clearly about what we as parliamentarians can do to free women and children from violence. There are some adult male victims as well, but it is mostly women and children. We must use our voices to highlight the problem.

I hope that Deputy Mary Lou McDonald will use her voice in the Lower House to name people who have abused children sexually, the names that are handed in to Deputy Gerry Adams.