Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I add my voice to Senator Bacik’s welcome for the nomination of Maíria Cahill for the forthcoming Seanad by-election. She will contest a selection convention in the Labour Party, should there be other nominees. If she is successful, or if there is no other nominee, then she will go on to contest the by-election. I welcome Senator Mooney’s announcement that Fianna Fáil will be putting up a candidate too. Of course, it must put up a candidate; that is democracy at its best. We will be ready and able for that challenge.

I welcome the work done by the Minister of State, Deputy Nash, for workers’ rights and for the unemployed. He has fought tirelessly on these issues, issues on which I have worked with him. He has delivered on the Low Pay Commission, the joint labour committees, the employment regulation orders, the Workplace Relations Commission and the Startup Gathering 2015. I welcome what he has done to date in these areas.

When I first became a Senator, I moved a motion on domestic violence which received cross-party support at the time. As it was in the early days of the Government, funding was an issue at the time. It was impossible then to get extra funding for any service relating to domestic violence. I was saddened last week to read about the Tallaght women’s refuge which is expected to close by Christmas. This is a worrying issue. This service helps people from the very rich to the very poor. It does not matter how much money one has. If one has to flee home in the middle of the night with one’s clothes on one’s back, one will still need somewhere to go. I would prefer to see these services enhanced and funded rather than eroded. These services are vital, particularly for women. I ask Members, particularly women Members, to stand up and fight the closure of this refuge centre, as it is vital for women. While it is considered a second stage refuge centre, where those out of immediate danger move on to, they still have nowhere to go. Will the Leader make representations to the Minister, Deputy Reilly, on this issue and ensure it does not close?