Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I had not intended speaking but this is something I feel very strongly about and I will only take one minute. This is a very badly needed piece of legislation and I am very proud that it has been initiated here in the Seanad.

One in four women experience physical or sexual violence from a partner. I speak regularly here in the House about equality and there can be no real equality between women and men unless women who are experiencing gender-based violence are fully supported by State agencies and institutions. That is what the Minister is doing here and I commend him for raising this in the House and trying to deliver this legislation. It is bringing us one step closer to ratifying the Istanbul Convention. The Minister has been a stalwart for women's rights and for equality and I commend and thank him for bringing this Bill to the House.