Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also wish to be associated with the expressions of condolence to the Murphy family and Ashling’s boyfriend, Ryan Casey, on what is a tragedy for all of them and their community. No words spoken here will bring any comfort to them. It is important that we mark this tragic event because it has brought about an outpouring of sympathy and grief and resolve to sort things out across the State.

Much has been said in the past fortnight about violence, particularly physical and sexual violence against women. We have heard the many personal stories of women who regularly feel afraid for their safety. We have heard their testimonies of events and attacks perpetrated on women by men. We have heard personal stories again today from those who have been brave, and I thank them for that. We have also heard of the impact this has had on women. We have heard how it has affected their confidence and ability to travel freely, socialise and live life as they want. We have heard the stories of women who feel that the criminal justice system has let them down and that the perpetrators of violent acts have escaped justice.

We must respond. I welcome the Minister for Justice's clear statement that she intends to do so with comprehensive legislation. We must build on that undertaking, however. I also recognise what Senator Chambers has done with the publication of legislation to address the crime of stalking. That is dealing with the extreme, and the extreme is serious, but there is so much more below the waterline that is often not discussed. We must take a much broader look at our society. Men must take a long hard look at our behaviour, views and ideas and at how we treat women. We must do that not just in our families and homes, but also concerning how we treat women in general, in the workplace and right across society.

If I hear another man give the impression that he fully understands the scale of the problem because he has a mother, a wife, a sister or a girlfriend, I will scream. To the best of my knowledge, no man in existence anywhere on Earth who has perpetrated the most heinous crimes on women was not born from a woman. Enough lads, enough. Such statements signify nothing.