Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----to celebrate the historic achievements of women around the world in sport, civic life, arts, culture, music and other spheres. It is important that we recognise and pay tribute to women. It is a pity that we do not have the first female President of the US. That would have shattered a glass ceiling. We saw what Presidents Robinson and McAleese did in Ireland. We have seen what many female Ministers can do. I hope that we will have a female Head of Government, Leader of the House or Cathaoirleach at some stage. Actually, women have been the Cathaoirleach and the Leader, namely, Ms Tras Honan and Mrs. Mary O'Rourke, respectively. I am not sure as to whether Ms Gemma Hussey was Leader, but I will stand corrected.

Thirteen Senators raised the issue of International Women's Day. A great amount of work has been done, and much remains to be done, in attaining full equality. It is important that we praise Senators from all political parties for their work in the pursuit of gender equality and many other issues across the gender divide. It is an objective of everyone in politics to advance women's positions in leadership roles. Senator Byrne mentioned a report on business, in which field there is much to be done.

It is important to recognise that gender balance is not just about benefitting women, but the benefits that they can bring to society as a whole. We should work to achieve further progress for women in respect of the many issues that have been raised. I will revert to those.

Senator Mark Daly raised the issue of the commission on inquiry into the treatment of Grace. As I told some of the group leaders this morning, the intention is for that motion to be before the House tomorrow afternoon. It was switched out of today's Order Paper. It is important that we take the issue of Grace as a priority. As the Taoiseach stated yesterday, if there is a need to expand the inquiry, then let us do that. It is covered in the motion. The Government is committed to establishing the commission. We must find answers and justice and there must be responsibility and accountability for what happened. We will debate the motion tomorrow.

Also on tomorrow's Order Paper will be statements on matters regarding the commission of investigation into what happened in the former mother and baby home in Tuam. Senators will have the opportunity to speak on both issues.

Senator Mark Daly also mentioned the Corporate Manslaughter (No. 2) Bill 2016. There is a divergence of views on that Bill in terms of the import of what it is trying to achieve, but we all accept that those who are responsible must be held to account.

I join Senator Clifford-Lee on the issue of domestic violence. Senator Conway-Walsh also raised that issue. The Tánaiste has been proactive on the Domestic Violence Bill 2017 and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016. This links to Senator Dolan's point. I hope that those Bills will be ratified and passed by the Oireachtas by this summer, allowing for the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence to be signed into law in 2018. That is the Tánaiste's intent.

Listening to Senator Conway-Walsh, one sometimes feels that the Government does nothing at all. However, it is worth noting that the Tánaiste has undertaken a strong campaign against domestic violence and published two Bills, funding for domestic violence services was increased in the budget and €200,000 has been given from the Dormant Accounts Fund to localise the campaign. In the city of Cork where I live, there are plans to build a new Edel House, which we would all welcome.I am sure the Senator will join me in welcoming its construction, as will Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee. Sometimes it needs to be pointed out that the Government is doing work because listening to some Senators, one could conclude that it was not doing anything and not investing any money.