Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I obviously did touch a nerve. In the spirit of Christmas, however, I hope we will have an opportunity to engage constructively on any similar related items of legislation which we are anxious to pass through the House in a timely and appropriate way.

To Senator Higgins I say that the National Women's Council of Ireland last week called for this convention to be ratified in advance of, or certainly by, International Women's Day on 9 March. I would hope for the co-operation of the Senators to facilitate the progression of this Bill through all Stages in this House.

Senator Higgins also mentioned the SAVI study. I was very pleased, in the context of some of my more important achievements this year, to announced the second sexual violence prevalence study. The expert scoping group is considering the availability of data and the survey, as announced, will be of significant scale. It will be a complex and extremely sensitive piece of work. I was very pleased that the Government adopted my proposal in the form of a memorandum in late November. The Cabinet approved the undertaking of the national survey, which will commence next year. It can also be repeated every decade by the CSO on the publication of the report of the scoping group. The CSO has estimated that the preparatory work required early next year will cost in the region of €150,000. The Department has provided for this in the budget. I understand that the survey is of such importance and magnitude that it may take a number of years to complete. The timescale involved will be worked out by the CSO in 2019, along with the preparatory work on the survey. I am happy to engage with Senators on that. I assure Senator Higgins and others that this work will commence next year.