Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has said politicians cannot become trapped in a cycle of expressing outrage about violence against women, followed by ongoing inaction.
Speaking today in the Dáil, Teachta McDonald said:
“Here we are again. Statements in this chamber. Following news of an utterly chilling act of violence committed against a woman.
“Women and girls feel the shadow of male violence throughout our lives. It is in our homes, in our families, in our relationships, in our workplaces and on the streets.
“It is nothing short of an epidemic. One shouldered by generation after generation of Irish women. By our sisters. Our mothers. And our grandmothers.
“Time and again, another shocking case emerges in the media. Society pays attention. Politicians pay lip service. But then the media cycle moves on. Women feel trapped in a cycle of déjà vu and despair. Because women can’t move on. Because women have had enough.
“Nothing less than real and meaningful change will do. A genuinely zero tolerance approach for all forms of violence against women.
“Last week marked two years since government published their Zero Tolerance strategy for violence against women. This strategy had been announced, to much fanfare by the Justice Minister. It was talked up at the time as a watershed moment.
“Two years on, many, many women will wonder how much has it really achieved? They’d be forgiven for thinking the government’s promises ring hollow. Government can’t wring their hands when the spotlight is on this topic, before shrugging off responsibility when the story moves on.
“We can’t allow ourselves in this chamber to become trapped in a cycle of outrage, followed by inaction.
“If government is serious about a zero-tolerance approach, there are a number of actions they can take. Nine counties in this state do not have a domestic violence refuge. Carlow, Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon and Sligo.
“Where counties do have refuges, staff too often face the heartbreaking task of turning away women and children because they simply don’t have any room for them.
“Sinn Féin supported the implementation of much of the O’Malley Review. However, because government failed to put in place the required resources, the Gardaí, DPP and the courts now struggle with the weight of the extra cases following that review.
“Those resources must be put in place, so there are sufficient Gardaí and court resources to prosecute cases efficiently. We need to look at sentencing decisions and appropriate training for judges.
“Lip service from government is simply not enough. Women need to see follow through with the urgent action required. I know that society can do better for women, and we must.”
