James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, who unfortunately cannot attend today, I thank the Senators for raising this very serious topic. I know that the Minister has offered to come into this House as early as possible and at a date that can be agreed to make statements.

I want to begin by offering my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ashling Murphy and her community as they mourn and grieve the loss of a much-loved and talented young woman. Her funeral mass yesterday heard that her death had taken the life of a talented, loved and admired teacher and musician, but had since united the entire country in grief and support.

There is a real determination now that we must come together to demand zero tolerance of violence against women. Along with her Cabinet colleagues, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, has been working on our new national strategy to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and it will be published within weeks. The goal of zero tolerance of violence against women is clear. The new strategy recognises, however, that this is a problem that can only be solved by all of society and the Government working together and it is not simply a criminal justice issue. The new strategy will be structured around four pillars or goals: prevention, protection, prosecution and co-ordination of policies.

The prevention goal, for example, involves working towards the eradication of the social and cultural norms - yes, among men - that underpin and contribute to gender-based violence.That means appropriate education from primary school up on healthy relationships, gender equality and consent. It also means calling out inappropriate behaviour when we see it in work, out socialising or in WhatsApp groups.

To protect victims, the new strategy will ensure the right supports are available, such as a refuge space for anyone who needs one. Reforms are under way to ensure victims are treated with professionalism and sensitivity in every interaction with the criminal justice system. We must also prosecute and punish the perpetrators who inflict suffering on so many women; again, our zero-tolerance approach to violence against women will be reflected in the law. This new strategy is being developed in partnership with the sector to ensure it is targeted, comprehensive and effective in achieving all of the goals set out.

There is real determination across the Government, across the sector and, as we have seen in recent days, across society to bring about the change that we need to see. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, welcomes the views, inputs and ideas of all members as we move to finalise the third national strategy, which will have zero tolerance at its centre and which will be the most ambitious national strategy we have seen to date.