Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge Senator Martin for bringing this Bill forward. As has been said by my colleague, the excellent briefing we received today was most worthwhile. The speakers were knowledgeable. As always we had the excellent Noeleen Blackwell, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Ms Jane McGowan, barrister-at-law, who outlined in great detail what was involved in this Bill.

As a public representative, like many in this room, I hold clinics in my constituency. When someone sits in front of me - I said this recently in this House - who is subject to domestic violence and coercive control, the fear and reality is brought home to me. One of the issues I discussed with Ms Blackwell today was the idea of trying to encourage more people to come forward through the legal system. That is what Senator Martin in doing in introducing this Bill. We want to encourage those who are victims to come forward and use the legal system. This Bill, as was said by Ms Blackwell today, is a step in the right direction. We must acknowledge that is what Senator Martin set about when he started to look into this Bill.

I also acknowledge the great work that is done by refuges, especially Teach Tearmann in my county, County Kildare. I know the Minister of State and his Department have supported them in the past, but I put out the call again today that we cannot give them enough support. We cannot give them enough funding for the work they do. I know it is something the Minister of State has always acknowledged. I am sure he will look at it again and look at where there is no refuge at the moment. When I deal with this matter, the first question victims ask is what will happen to them and where they can go. Unfortunately, despite the great work Teach Tearmann does, sometimes it is full and we have to look elsewhere and places are not there. That is the biggest worry that those who come forward, who are predominantly women, have when I meet them at my clinics. That conversation must happen and I know the Minister of State and his Department will look at that again. This is a step in the right direction. I thank Senator Martin for his work on this. We are proud to have co-signed it.