Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I extend my best wishes to everyone on St. Patrick's Day. It will be a different St. Patrick's Day this year, like last year, but hopefully we will make the most of it.

This morning, I want to raise the issue, again, of gender-based violence. This week, like most weeks, we have heard horrendous stories about women being raped, sexually assaulted and beaten up.The victim might then be blamed if people say she should not have been walking down that road or out in the first place.

The problem is not about somebody walking home, having too many drinks or being in the wrong clothes. The problem is that our streets are not safe. Female politicians attend public meetings and I presume we are all the same in that if we go into the car park after such a meeting, we have our keys and phone in our hands. We might see a man across the car park and I presume our male colleagues do not have the same experience as to another man, that does not seem like a threat. For women in the car park on their own, somebody else in that car park would be automatically seen as a threat. I always take a deep breath and move as fast as I can. I would be ready to make a call on the phone while I get to my car. It is a normal approach for most women.

I would appreciate it if a member of the Government could come to the Chamber to outline how we are going to formulate concrete measures to deal with this. This should not be about victim blaming and it is not a victim's fault if an assault happens. It is the fault of the person who instigated the assault. We must ensure we can have safe streets. That might involve more closed-circuit television, more public lighting, proper deterrence and a fairer court system for victims.