Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for appearing before the House to speak on this important issue. I express my sympathies to the family of the late Ashling Murphy. I met her family and her partner at a candlelit vigil in Mary Immaculate College on Monday evening last, which I attended along with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It was a very moving tribute and an opportunity to meet her family and friends who were in attendance. The previous time I had seen such an outpouring of grief was when my neighbour Shane Geoghegan was gunned down as a result of a gangland feud. It was a mistaken identity. That happened in 2008 and it was the previous time I had seen an outpouring of grief similar to what we have witnessed over recent weeks.

Violence of any nature, and especially to women, is totally unacceptable. I recognise the exceptional and tireless work the Minister has been doing to provide legislation to protect individuals in society. Recently, there have been announcements about the gender-based violence strategy. I also commend Senator Chambers on the Bill she has brought forward. Both items are very important work.

As legislators, we have an important role to show ambition and leadership in developing policy that will combat violence against women and ensure these victims of violence see justice. That is an important message. Generally, as a society, most people want to see equality for women and men, but that applies especially to women. It is only a small minority who make this unachievable. I say a "minority" because it is a small few. Many of our male colleagues have stood up during this debate and been supportive, as have many males throughout the country.

Many of us have witnessed the level of abuse on social media. Recently, I heard a podcast about female councillors and the very high percentage who have experienced abuse online, which many of us experience online as well. People think it is okay to be able to say very insulting things to people. I commend the fact legislation is being brought forward in that regard. Some young people think sexism is acceptable and that, too, needs to be combated.

Senator Clifford-Lee spoke about the issue of solicitors and support for people who end up in this position. I recently met representatives of the Rape Crisis Midwest in Limerick. An issue that came to light related to the fact that many people, when they end up in this situation and the matter ends up going to court, are taken to Dublin. Many women who have been in the position feel that if they could go home at night and sleep in their own bed, they would feel more supported because their family and peers would be there with them and they would have a lot of support. I ask the Minister to examine that. Where possible, the court cases should be held within the nearest jurisdiction to where the person lives. In Limerick, for example, the courthouse in Mulgrave Street has five chambers and they are not all used every day. There are many ways this can be addressed. It is really important women not only feel safe but also have the security of having their family around them. There are three refuges in Limerick and they do fantastic work but it is frightening to think people need to use them. We need to aim towards people feeling safe and feeling as though they have support around them.

I thank the Minister for her attendance and for all the work she is doing.