Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the issue of the Berkeley tragedy, I support the idea of having some form of ecumenical memorial service for the students that would involve both Deputies and Senators in some fashion. I note there is work being done on that.

I renew the call to the Leader for a debate on victims' rights which I made yesterday in light of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre statistics released yesterday. The figures from Women's Aid released today in its 2014 impact report also emphasise the need to have a debate on this. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, will be introducing legislation dealing with sexual offences and offences of domestic violence later this year, but the Women's Aid figures make for chilling reading. Its discloses that 13,655 contacts were made during 2014 with Women's Aid direct services and reminds us also in the report that since 1996, some 207 women have been murdered in Ireland, 54% of those by a partner or ex-partner. This is a serious matter. Women's Aid state, of the contacts made with it, that 16,464 disclosures of domestic violence against women were made last year and they conclude that one in five women experience domestic violence in Ireland. This is a serious and pressing issue, and we need to look again at it. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality has considered this matter but, as legislators, we need to look again at how best to address this serious problem.

On a lighter note, I want to let colleagues know that this afternoon there will be an unveiling of a bust in honour of the late Václav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic, at 5 p.m. in Leinster House. This is an important event. Václav Havel, of course, was a real figurehead for democracy and democratic values across Central Europe, but also internationally. It is fitting that we are unveiling this memorial. I have been involved somewhat in the plans to unveil it and as somebody with Czech-Irish heritage, I am glad that we will have this bust in place in Leinster House from this afternoon.