Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will speak very briefly to add my words commending all those who have been mentioned, including the Minister and his predecessors and their officials, who have brought a very positive and co-operative frame of mind to this process, which predates my own involvement.

I echo the remarks made by Senators Buttimer and Conway-Walsh that this is an issue which also impacts on men, and there must be a space for their voices in this debate. We have a particular role. I have noted with great respect and deference the leading role played by our women colleagues in this House, something that is not unique to this legislation and is probably the case with most items that come before the Seanad, but I have found this a learning experience. I found it informative and at times an emotional process, given the subject. If, in the course of outworking this legislation, we accept and concede that the vast majority of victims of domestic violence, intimidation, abuse and harassment are women, then we must also recognise that the vast majority of perpetrators are men. That is why I think male colleagues' powerful contributions and interventions on the debate in this House are important.Like any other legislation, as welcome and significant as its passage is, it is worthless unless we can make a tangible difference to the lives of the women and other victims. We need to continue to work in the collaborative and proactive way that we have through the Stages in this House. As this now plays out in broader society, we need to recommit and rededicate ourselves to keep a watching brief on this issue and keep alert to it. As Senator Higgins rightly said, we need to work with our colleagues in the NGOs to ensure we face down the issue of domestic violence. We need to use whatever influence we can in supporting victims. We need to use the full rigour of the law to bring those responsible before the courts.