Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the House today to discuss this Bill. I also thank Deputy Frances Fitzgerald who started our journey in taking this most important Bill through this House and the other House. In addition, I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, for his interest and willingness to work with all of us to get the Bill to be the best that it can possibly be. I acknowledge the work of all of my colleagues in the Seanad and in the Dáil. I also acknowledge the great work of SAFE Ireland, the rape crisis centres, Women's Aid and all of the other front-line services who have worked so hard to bring this Bill together. Above all, I thank the women who have shaped this Bill because, mostly, the Bill has been shaped by women who have experienced domestic or sexual violence. I also remember the women who have died violently in this country in recent years, and their families, today.

Like many others, I have waited for a very long time for this Bill to be processed through the Houses because, like them, I recognise that domestic violence is a crime - one of the most heinous crimes that can be committed. It always has been a crime but the difference this Bill will make is that coercive, controlling and abusive behaviour perpetrated against an intimate partner will be a crime as well. That gives me some assurance that women and children will be safer as a result of the Bill, and not only women and children but also men. I acknowledge the increasing number of men who come to me who are experiencing violent and abusive behaviour. The Bill will protect people in all such situations.

The success of this Bill is dependent on two things. One is that it is enacted as quickly as possible and that the details within the Bill permeate right through the system. Training must be provided for the Garda and also for judges so that everybody is absolutely aware of what the Bill means and how it can protect people in the future from the crime of domestic violence. That must be done immediately. Of course, in order to do that the Bill must be underpinned by resources. There needs to be a re-examination of all the cuts to front-line services that were made during the years of austerity in particular. That is not to say that there is not austerity now but severe cuts were made to front-line services such as community development projects and family resource centres and they need to be re-examined. The Bill must be underpinned with real finances in order to do the job in terms of the training and supports that are required for women.

I encourage more women and men to come forward. There is no need to lead a life of abuse and violence, which has meant lives have been cut short. I have no doubt the Bill will save lives. The Bill is just a step in the right direction. There are many other things that we need to do. We need an all-island approach to domestic violence. I urge the Minister to examine the issue. Clare's law was recently passed in the North. It is a fantastic law which allows women to find out if their partner has a history of abuse. If a person is concerned about his or her sister, friend or somebody else who is close to him or her, it is possible to find out that information. Again, that makes people safer. I thank the Minister.