Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to welcome Sarah Benson from Women's Aid, who is in the Gallery to witness this debate first hand. The Minister said he has listened to concerned voices. I do not understand how he can say that when he knows the reduced pay provisions remain in the Bill.

What the Minister has not done in his response is in any way address the Sinn Féin amendment. The key part of the amendment is that pay in respect of an employee's domestic violence leave shall be at the normal weekly rate or, as the case may be, a rate which is proportionate to the normal weekly rate. What the Minister has not done is explained why on earth he would object to that provision when the provision ensures that a victim of domestic violence will receive her or his weekly rate of pay.

He also has not addressed a key issue raised by a number of Senators, including Senator Seery Kearney, that, as it stands, the provision has the potential to put women at real and significant risk because of the reduction in pay. The Minister has an opportunity to accept this amendment. The amendment simply ensures that a victim of domestic violence will receive his or her normal weekly pay. He has given no reason that would not be acceptable.

With the greatest of respect, I do not believe anyone in this Chamber could accept a position whereby the Minister will not accept this amendment, even if some are apparently still willing to vote with the Government. It is wrong. As Senator Seery Kearney said, this decision effectively undoes the good of the Bill. It places women at risk. The pay reduction elements are still in the Bill. Our amendment will remove them. This is the last chance that we have to make a difference.

The Minister has not been listening. That is why Women's Aid is here to witness what is happening today and give the Minister and his colleagues on the Government benches a final opportunity to do the right thing. We in Sinn Féin are passionate about this issue because my colleague, Deputy Quinlivan, and our party leader, Deputy MacDonald, introduced the first Bill dealing with domestic violence. It is an issue we, along with everyone else in the Chamber, feel very strongly about. For the life of me, I cannot understand why the Minister will not accept a simple amendment to ensure that victims of domestic violence would receive their normal weekly pay and by doing so ensure that risk is removed. Why on earth would the Minister not do that?