Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Earlier today, I hosted Sonas in the audiovisual room, which represents a women's refuge from domestic violence. We heard harrowing stories from a number of articulate ladies with lived experience. While Cuan has been set up and progress is being made, a lot of progress is still needed in the delivery of support for people fleeing domestic violence. I ask the Leader for the opportunity to have statements in the Seanad to discuss the matter and open it up to all parties and none to contribute to the conversation.

I did not realise until today that the living standards in some of the women's refuges are not fit for purpose. I did not realise that they were not regulated or inspected, including by HIQA, yet we are putting children and women in them. That was a large part of the conversation today. I would appreciated if the Leader could take that on board.