Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. Is é inniu tús le Seachtain na Gaeilge. Cé go maireann sé 17 lá, tugaimid Seachtain na Gaeilge air, ón bhféile náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta a dhéanann ceiliúradh ar ár dteanga dhúchais. Idir seo agus Lá Fhéile Pádraig, tá Conradh na Gaeilge agus grúpaí fud fad na tíre agus an domhain ag moladh do dhaoine úsáid a bhaint as an teanga, más é sin cúpla focal nó más rud é go bhfuil siad líofa.

Today marks the start of Seachtain na Gaeilge. Even though we call it a "seachtain", it lasts for 17 days between now and St. Patrick's Day. I hope in that period we can have statements regarding the Irish language with the relevant Minister. I respectfully and positively encourage colleagues across to the House to do their best to use a couple of focail, or whatever they may have, between now and 17 March.

I also welcome both ambassadors and their guests to the Gallery.I dealt with the conclusion of the negotiation between the British Government and the EU yesterday, so I know the UK ambassador, Ambassador Johnston, in particular will respect that. I do not want to use up my time dealing with it again today, but I dare say he knows where I stand on the issue.

It appears the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth still intends to cut the normal rates of pay for victims availing of domestic violence leave by up to 30%, despite public commitments to the contrary. Over recent weeks, Women's Aid, the National Women's Council of Ireland, Fórsa and others have all outlined in great detail why this decision will place victims at significant risk of harm. The Minister for Justice has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the Government's zero tolerance strategy to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, DSGBV, and he agrees that cutting victims' pay is just wrong. The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth's officials confirmed to the Irish Examineron Friday that it was his intention to bring forward amendments to the Bill, due for Report Stage in the Seanad today, to reflect the advice he has received from Women's Aid. In the same newspaper, the Leader was quoted as saying she endorses the view of Women's Aid and that priority should be given to ensuring women's safety, given it is a major step for them to seek help. Unfortunately, no such amendment has been brought forward by the Minister.

Aligning domestic violence leave with sick pay is totally inappropriate. Domestic violence is not, and should not, be viewed through the lens of a normal occurrence in life, nor should political leaders accept it as such. It is not too late for the House to intervene. Government must urgently bring forward an amendment that removes the cut to domestic violence leave pay for victims. That is what the Minister committed to last week. It is what the Minister for Justice and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, have also lent their support to, and it reflects, as I understand it, the views expressed by the Leader last week. Most importantly, this is what Women's Aid and others have called for if we are to keep women safe from harm. Given the Government has not brought forward an amendment, I ask the Leader to support an amendment to the Order of Business, which I would like to propose, to the effect that No. 3 not be taken today until such time as that much called-for and crucially important amendment is brought to the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022.