Laura Harmon (Labour)

I welcome the Minister. I am proud to be part of the cross-party group with Senators Stephenson, Noonan and Cosgrove. I commend Senator Stephenson's Bill. It is a very simple, progressive Bill. It is extremely disappointing that, again, we are seeing a pattern from the Government of introducing a timed amendment, effectively kicking the can down the road when it comes to such an important issue and such a simple solution.

More than 65,000 instances of domestic violence were reported to An Garda Síochána last year. That is a shocking statistic. The level of violence is an epidemic. It is simply unacceptable. We know that similar steps taken in Britain and Northern Ireland to provide free rail travel have helped more than 10,000 people to avail of travel to seek refuge since that scheme was introduced in 2020. That is the equivalent of six people per day. We can imagine the effect it would have in Ireland and what that would mean at a time of crisis and trauma for so many. Many of those who are escaping physical or mental violence, or psychological or financial abuse, have no access to funds. If the Government could provide this service it would be transformative. This is something that needs to be supported this evening in this Chamber. By guaranteeing free travel we can help to alleviate the costs survivors face in these situations. Nobody should be forced into poverty as a result of abuse.

We know that 35% of women in Ireland - more than one in three - have experienced abuse from an intimate partner. In 2024 there were 32,144 contacts to Women's Aid. I acknowledge the groups in the Gallery today who are working at the coalface, and also Deputies Rice, Gibney and Cian O'Callaghan, who are here to support their colleague.

I am proud to support the Bill and to share a cross-party group with Senator Stephenson. This is a really progressive piece of legislation. It is simple. It makes sense and it needs to be passed.