Mark Duffy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I lend my support to a fellow Mayo native, Ms Margaret Loftus, who has shared her horrific story as a domestic abuse survivor. I highlight that Oireachtas Members will have an opportunity tomorrow in the audiovisual room to hear her story first hand, to hear about the harrowing experience she had and to see the bravery she now has in sharing her story so that other women do not experience what she has had to go through over the past number of years. I acknowledge Senator Tully and Deputy Conway-Walsh, who are hosting tomorrow's event in the audiovisual room. Ms Loftus, along with Ms Sarah Benson, the CEO of Women's Aid, will share the harrowing story of a failure in every element of the system for Ms Loftus and her story. The event will take place between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the audiovisual room.

Councillor Donna Sheridan, who is a friend of Ms Loftus in Mayo, has raised the issue with the Tánaiste. I understand that there are arrangements for them to meet. Root-and-branch reform is needed. I acknowledge the work of the new Garda Commissioner, who has offered a lot of hope of reform and improvements within An Garda Síochána. Ms Loftus, as part of her story, had to face a harrowing experience. Countless times, she, her story and her family were undermined by different elements of an Garda Síochána and the State. That cannot be overstated. I encourage everyone who is available tomorrow to attend and lend their support to Ms Loftus, her case and her story so that no other women have to go through what she experienced.