Combating domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority for the Government and for me. If the Deputy looks at the recent budget allocation and the recent establishment of Cuan, he will see that the Government has made a very specific decision that it wants a separate statutory agency to deal with this issue. We are putting in funding of €80 million in respect to this issue, which shows an increased investment of €12 million year on year, which is a sign of the Government's financial commitment. Similarly, we have an implementation plan for the zero tolerance strategy. That is an appropriate name for the strategy we want to adopt in respect of domestic violence. Sometimes the term "zero tolerance" is used in a general sense. It is absolutely appropriate when it comes to combating domestic violence. The Deputy asked what is being done. A number of legislative proposals are being brought forward, such as the sexual offences Bill, which was recently considered by the justice committee by way of pre-legislative scrutiny. I have introduced a proposal that would allow perpetrators of domestic violence to be included on a new register of domestic violence. A miscellaneous provisions Bill, which came before the Dáil last week, seeks to restrict the disclosure of counselling records in sexual offence trials. As is apparent from the sexual offences Bill, I am also seeking to reform the sexual consent laws, while the miscellaneous provisions Bill contains a provision seeking to criminalise the offering or advertising of rent in exchange for sex. I am also working on guardianship rights. The Deputy mentioned a particular case in the context of what is being done in the courts system. A lot is being done there. The Family Courts Act was enacted in 2024. I have a plan in place for the implementation of that policy so that family law courts will operate on a consistent and expert basis throughout the country. Obviously, domestic violence is a criminal offence. It is not something to be associated with family law, but we want greater speed in our family law system to facilitate all those individuals.
Sentiment score: -0.07
Last week, I commended Margaret Loftus. I do not know if it was to the Deputy but I certainly commended her in the House to a number of other Deputies. I commend her bravery and her perseverance. Ultimately, she did get the conviction she sought. A court held in her favour and recognised that she had been a victim of an assault and a judgment was delivered in that regard. The Deputy spoke about issues in respect of An Garda Síochána. I have to mention that Margaret Loftus commended Commissioner Justin Kelly on the role he played in the prosecution and how seriously it was taken when he got involved. I also understand that the husband in question was suspended from An Garda Síochána in 2018. The Garda, therefore, did respond to it. I want to ensure that the criminal justice system, whilst remaining fair, is sped up as much as possible. In order to achieve that, I am putting further resources into it. The number of judges on the Central Criminal Court has never been higher. We are going to create more posts for judges later this year. The more judges we have the more resources, and cases will be resolved and dealt with more quickly.
Sentiment score: 0.16
I cannot formulate a policy based on one case. However, the cases the Deputy gives to me and other cases that are reported on the system generally influence and guide policy in the area. Some cases will take time no matter what level of resources we have put into them. For example, historic sexual abuse cases are going to take time because the gardai have to go back and seek witnesses from many years ago so no matter what level of resources I put in and no matter how many judges are there to deal with cases on an expedited basis, some cases are going to take time. We all want to make sure the rights of victims are vindicated and protected and victims get justice. At the same time, as Minister for Justice, I have to ensure that the rights to a fair trial of people who are accused are similarly protected. We do not want to go so far that that important constitutional right is compromised. It is about getting the balance right, but I agree with the Deputy that we need to speed up the process.
Sentiment score: 0.15
I thank the Deputy for her question. Before giving the specifics, I will outline the method by which we organise refuge spaces and safe houses. It is through Cuan, collaborating with various stakeholders. The Deputy will be aware that Cuan collaborates with domestic violence services, approved housing bodies, the Department of housing and local authorities to facilitate local action and support service development and the delivery of safe accommodation and ancillary services. Currently, the number of safe accommodation spaces nationwide, including refuges and safe homes, stands at 232. I am informed by Cuan that, in 2025, the number of domestic violence refuge units increased by 13 – four in Louth and nine in Dublin – bringing the total to 172. A further nine units are being developed in Dublin and are expected to be operational early this year. A 12-unit refuge located in the Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown council area is scheduled to be completed and operational later this year. By the end of this year, we aim to increase the number of safe accommodation spaces, including refuges and safe homes, to 287. This will bring the total number of refuge units to 193 by the end of the year. Furthermore, Cuan is working towards having a minimum of 50 new refuge units under construction nationally across multiple sites in 2026. Last year, the number of safe home units increased by eight, bringing total safe home capacity to 60. Cuan is working to increase that capacity to 94 this year. Therefore, a considerable amount of work has been done in respect of refuges and safe homes. Both are important. While safe homes do not have the same level of protection and services as refuges, they remain extremely important in providing safe accommodation for women fleeing domestic violence.
Sentiment score: 0.32
I am conscious of the Deputy's interest in refuges in Monaghan and Cavan. I was in Cavan–Monaghan recently. Progress is being made in respect of Monaghan and I had discussions with the local authority in Cavan. On safe accommodation spaces nationwide, including refuges and safe homes, the number stands at 232. I realise the Deputy wants to focus on numbers but the most important thing is to ensure as broad a range of refuges and safe homes as possible throughout the country. Considerable progress is being made in respect of this. I hope that by the end of this year, we will have increased the number of refuges and safe homes to 287. There is a tendency among policymakers – I am not suggesting the Deputy is among them – when considering refuges to assume they are the answer. In the first instance, the person who should be leaving the home is the abuser, the person who has inflicted violence. Regrettably, we are now getting into a situation where it is assumed the victim is the one who has to leave.
Sentiment score: 0.28
I will deal with Deputy Ó Muirí’s point in the first instance. I was out at Aoibhneas in his constituency, which is also that of Deputy Brabazon. Obviously, there are good refuges there. The 12-week window is not a rule of Cuan. I have spoken to Cuan in respect of it. I have spoken to the service providers. They do not have a 12-week period during which you can stay for 12 weeks and you have to go afterwards. There is no strict rule in respect of that. In regard to the number issues raised by Deputy Bennett, when I am talking about refuges I am not saying they are not important. We also need to realise that barring orders are still an option that is available and we should be seeing more of them so that the perpetrator gets out. On the refuge provision in Cavan-Monaghan, the capital assistance scheme stage 1 application for a refuge site in Monaghan was approved by the Department of housing last October. Work is ongoing towards submitting a stage 2 application, which will include further detail and costing for the full extent of works. The capital assistance scheme, CAS, process takes on average 75 weeks, with construction typically taking 15 to 18 months. Safe Ireland is the lead approved housing body on this development. Safe Ireland has expressed its commitment to explore other options of accommodation in the area of Monaghan but there is progress being made in the constituency.
Sentiment score: 0.16
I thank Deputy Gannon. I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 155 together. The answer for 2025 is 669. The answer for 2024 was 979. Deputy Gannon has asked me questions in respect of refugee status applications for family protection. As he will be aware, there is another type of family reunification that arises as well. That is for individuals who have not been granted refugee status but are individuals who are here working. That is referred to as non-EEA family reunification. That process is not a statutory scheme. It is an administrative scheme that is run by my Department. Recently, I updated the rules in respect of that family reunification process as well. On the numbers for non-EEA, I think they were in the region of 18,000 in 2024 or 2025 - one or the other. There is also a third type of family reunification, which is in respect of people joining from EU countries who are permitted to be here to work. The Deputy's question, I suspect, arises in the context of the proposals that have been announced by Government to deal with new family reunification rules in the International Protection Bill 2026, which will be introduced in the Dáil tomorrow. What guides the Government and me in regard to proposals in respect of family reunification is that at present, family reunification can be secured for a refugee the day after they are granted refugee status. When it comes to the assessment of the grant of family reunification, on the one hand we have to balance the rights of the individual refugee to seek family reunification but we also have to balance it with the rights and interests of the public with regard to the impact it may have on public well-being and the public purse. They are perfectly legitimate factors that have to be taken into account. It is necessarily the case that because somebody is coming through family reunification, the rules at present for refugees are that they do not have to show they are going to be able to support an individual they bring into the country as part of their family. My view, and that of the Government, is that the same or similar rules should apply for those who can bring in family under non-EEA. If you want to bring a family member in, you really need to be able to show you can support that family member.
Sentiment score: 0.23
I was referring to 2024.
Sentiment score: 0.00
When I was asked that question on RTÉ, it was in the very early part of January and I was asked what the number was for last year. I thought that was a reference to 2024 and as I said to the Deputy, in 2024 it was 979. That is what I was referring to. In 2025, it was 669. The Government is entitled to take into account the consequences and cost of family reunification for individuals who are coming here sponsored by refugees. I know it is a sensitive issue but it is hugely affected by the numbers of people in general seeking asylum in the country. Prior to Covid, as the Deputy will know, we had relatively small numbers seeking international protection. It was around 3,000 to 4,000 per year but in the years 2022 to 2025, inclusive, collectively we saw around 58,000 arrive seeking international protection. I have to be conscious of the fact that the numbers are rising very significantly and I think that has to guide the laws that Governments introduce.
Sentiment score: 0.00
I will go to the European Court of Human Rights. In its judgments it has consistently said that when it comes to family reunification, a member state is entitled to engage in a balancing act to ensure there is a fair balance between, on the one hand, the applicant's interest in being reunited with his family and, on the other, the interest of the community as a whole to control immigration with a view to protecting the economic well-being of the country, ensuring the effective integration of those granted protection and preserving social cohesion. That is a diktat that is used repeatedly by the European Court of Human Rights in challenges to family reunification. In regard to family reunification as well, I have a breakdown here of the figures on the make-up of the family relationships for the numbers coming in. It is not just daughters, sons, husbands or mothers; it is also brothers and sisters.
Sentiment score: 0.26
It is a broad collection of family members that come within the parameters of the definition. As the Deputy said, the legislation is going to be introduced. The family reunification issues will be considered on Committee Stage. I will keep an open mind in respect of it but I do think there will be changes, definitely. I will say that to the Deputy-----
Sentiment score: 0.14
-----and if he puts forward amendments, I will give consideration to them.
Sentiment score: 0.00
I am very conscious, and the Deputy will be very conscious, that we are approaching the 45th anniversary of the Stardust tragedy. It was an extraordinarily traumatic event for the people in the Deputy’s constituency. He was not alive at the time but it was an extraordinarily traumatic event. The previous Government did a very good job in seeking to resolve and to address the ongoing pain that had existed for 40 years. There was the State apology. In 2024, as the Deputy will be aware, the Government approved a two-phase approach to redress arrangements. Phase 1 has been completed. It was in respect of the individuals who died in the Stardust and there was an ex gratia redress scheme for the families of the 48 victims of the fire. That has concluded. The next phase seeks to deal with the individuals who were in the fire and who were injured. We have some data on that because of the Stardust Victims Compensation Tribunal, which was established in 1985. We know the number of persons who went to that tribunal. It is in the region of 825. I am finalising proposals in the Department in respect of phase 2. In preparing proposals for my consideration and final approval, the guiding principles that informed phase 1 are just as important for phase 2. Given the passage of time, it is of the upmost importance that in developing an approach, we prevent further trauma for applicants and minimise any pain they may suffer from it. I do not want this to be a litigious process. I do not want it to place any extra burden on the individuals involved. I want a simple scheme whereby the people who were in the fire on the night and were injured can receive a payment in recognition of the fact that this process has dragged on for so long. It will not be a recompensation payment for the injuries they suffered - that was already effected by the tribunal – but it is a payment in giving recognition for what has happened in recent years.
Sentiment score: -0.17
I give the Deputy a commitment that I am going to bring proposals to the Government in the near future. I am finalising them within the Department. I want to get them right. Obviously I want to discuss them with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in advance of bringing them to the Government. That is something I will do in the next short period of time. I do not want to give the Deputy a date and then it is not satisfied. This is not a case of phase 2 being forgotten about; that is not the issue. However, one thing I do not want to happen is for phase 2 to turn into a litigious process that requires the presence of solicitors. I want a system whereby those who were injured can apply for what will be an agreed amount of recognition payment that the State will pay in respect of what happened and the delay in establishing the truth of what occurred in the Stardust. I will not put people through another tribunal or another compensation process. I do not want it to be litigious. I do not think lawyers need to be involved in it. When the proposal that I am putting forward comes, I think it will be a very simple one and will not require legal advice in order for the people to avail of the benefits of it.
Sentiment score: 0.01
I agree with the Deputy. I think the inquest was beneficial and therapeutic for the survivors. I think they were satisfied with the process that the State belatedly put in place by way of the inquest, which was important. There is no attempt on the part of the Government to move away from the decision that was previously made. Phase 2 will occur; I just want to get the proposals right. I want to discuss it with others. All I can say to the Deputy is that it is something that will happen in the near future. I repeat that I do not want, and I know the Deputy does not want, for people who were injured in the Stardust to be put through some form of new litigious process that requires an adversarial or inquisitorial process. I want a much simpler scheme that is a recognition payment, not a compensation payment for their injuries. It is a recognition payment because of the delay in the State facing up to its duties in terms of determining the outcome of what occurred.
Sentiment score: 0.02
The Deputy has raised the issues of e-scooters and scramblers before. Deputy McAuliffe, who has consistently raised the issue of scramblers, is seated beside Deputy Ó Muirí. I take this opportunity to express my condolences to Grace Lynch's parents, Siobhán and Martin, on her horrific death last weekend. Obviously, I am not going to talk in too much detail about it because I am conscious that a man was charged this evening with a criminal offence. On the matter raised by the Deputy, he will be aware that regulations were signed into law in 2024 by the then Minister for Transport to provide that an e-scooter can only have a maximum design speed of 20 km/h or less. An e-scooter which does not meet the technical requirements may not legally be used on public roads. Additionally, the Road Traffic Act makes dangerous driving an offence in all locations, not just on public roads, and provides the Garda with new powers of seizure. The Garda has undertaken a proof-of-concept project for the introduction of mobile dynamometers for the purpose of enforcing these e-scooter regulations. They were distributed across the four Garda regions. Dedicated targeted operations took place with a particular focus on urban areas and larger towns. I am informed by the Garda that the evaluation period has now been concluded following the use of the four dynamometer devices nationally. I am informed that the number of tests undertaken did not form part of the evaluation. I can report, however, that there were 958 fixed-charge notices issued for e-scooter-related offences in 2025 and that there were 817 e-scooters seized or detained in 2025. Garda authorities also advise that, further to the proof of concept, gardaí are in favour of the organisation having wider access to such technology and that gardaí operating checkpoints using the dynamometers reported high levels of public interest and engagement. People were curious and I understand that Garda management is currently assessing options regarding the purchase and allocation of dynamometers to roads policing units.
Sentiment score: -0.05
I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I commend Deputy McAuliffe on the role he played in enacting the amendment to the Road Traffic Act back in 2023. A significant legislative change was achieved as a result of that. Today when we all reflect on the awful death of Grace, we may think that not enough was done in respect of that legislation; a lot was done in that legislation. Most importantly, within it, the amendment of section 35 of the Road Traffic Act brought in by that legislation allows for the Minister for Transport to restrict or prohibit the use of specified vehicles in certain areas. Deputies will have heard the Taoiseach speaking in the House this afternoon. There is a commitment from Government that that amendment of section 35 will be invoked and I think it should be. The Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Canney, has committed to ensuring that there is a prohibition on the use of scramblers on public roads and in public parks. Scramblers should be used on designated tracks for scrambling bikes - we used to see them on the television years ago - or on pathways up the mountains. They are not for use on public roads. I know we will still have the same issue in respect of enforcement. It will be easier and there will be a societal response if there is a law saying that scramblers cannot be used on public roads.
Sentiment score: 0.25
My own view is the death of Grace Lynch is a watershed moment. Sometimes those events happen and, I regret to say, her death could be a watershed in the change of attitude of policymakers, legislators and the public to scramblers. I hear what Deputy Ó Muiri said about e-scooters. They are a separate issue but the presence of scramblers on public roads, in parks and on public pathways is unacceptable. They should not be used there. They are a threat to people, not just because they are being driven dangerously but because they were never designed for use on public roads. The law exists. We do not have to go through the Houses of the Oireachtas making new laws. The laws are there. When the regulations are signed by the Minister for Transport, they will send a clear message and show scramblers simply cannot be used on public paths, in public parks or in public areas. It is my hope it will provide for that.
Sentiment score: -0.12
The most recent information I have on the dedicated road traffic enforcement operation carried out by the Garda is for the period from Monday, 1 December 2025, to Monday, 5 January 2026. That is a period of 35 days. During this period, regrettably, there were 26 fatalities on our roads and over 70 serious collisions, which resulted in a number of people incurring serious and life-altering injuries. There was no shortage of gardaí deployed during the operation. Gardaí carried out nearly 10,000 checkpoints, comprising statutory mandatory intoxicant testing and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints. A total of 765 people were arrested during this period for driving under the influence of an intoxicant - 56% of those were primarily alcohol-intoxicant and 44% were primarily drugs. Nearly 26,500 drivers were detected for speeding offences by gardaí, mobile safety camera vans and static safety cameras by An Garda's road safety partners, GoSafe. Gardaí seized nearly 3,000 vehicles for a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act 1961. Nearly 1,700 fixed charge notices were issued for the offence of using a mobile phone while driving and over 450 fixed charge notices were issued to vehicle users for not wearing seatbelts. These figures give an indication of the extent of ongoing enforcement activities by An Garda to keep people on our roads safe; and the reality that significant numbers of road users are, regrettably, still prepared to take risks with their own safety and the safety of other road users. It is important to emphasise that checkpoints and enforcement can only be part of the solution. The use of improved technology, additional speed cameras and enhanced data sharing are also helping to ensure a broader approach to road safety enforcement in Ireland.
Sentiment score: 0.08
I have some statistics for the period 1 January to 14 January 2026. I am advised gardaí performed a total of 3,599 checkpoints between those dates. There were 37 arrests made under sections 4 and 5 of the Road Traffic Act or for failure or refusal to provide a roadside breath or fluid test. Many gardaí are assigned to road policing units and they take it extremely seriously. The statistics I have provided show clearly there is a large amount of policing of roads ongoing. The problem is people continue to break the law and do foolish things such as using mobile phones or drink-driving. Garda enforcement is an important part of the solution but the message needs to get out to people that such behaviour on the roads contributes to and causes increased fatalities.
Sentiment score: -0.22
I agree the Garda should use advanced technology in every sphere of its work. In other aspects of criminality, technology is used to a great extent. Similarly, the Garda should be using technology. There is a very large contract in place between An Garda Síochána and GoSafe, which provides the services for the safety cameras on our roads. The more cameras that are there and the more effective they are, the safer our roads will become. What changes human behaviour on the roads is the prospect of being detected, whether through a Garda checkpoint or penalty points coming. I agree with the Deputy. I will look into the type of technology he has identified that is operating in the UK. An Garda Síochána is aware of other technologies that are available as well. We will seek to bring in that extra technology but there is ultimately a big responsibility on people to slow down. It is people's recklessness and carelessness on the road that are causing these fatalities and they need to change behaviour.
Sentiment score: 0.18
I thank the Deputy for his question in respect of the Whitechurch addiction support programme. As the Deputy will be aware, there is funding available under the community safety fund. I think I spoke to him about it before in the justice committee. It is funding that is available to go back into local communities, particularly those that have affected by criminality, and is the proceeds of crime. Since it was launched in 2022, it has supported 127 community safety projects all across Ireland. The fund is now managed by the national office for community safety in my Department that was established last year. From the outset, the fund has been dedicated to one-off initiatives or short-to-medium-term projects limited to two years. Documentation made available for potential applicants to the safety fund in 2025 reiterated this. It is also made clear that repeat funding of community safety-funded projects would not be considered. As part of the process, applicants are asked to outline the sustainability of their project and the potential to mainstream or scale up the project beyond the community safety fund once the short-term funding has ended. However, I am very conscious of the very important and valuable support provided by the Whitechurch addition support programme. This programme clearly delivers crucial support in the community and I would suggest the sponsors contact the national office for community safety - I can give the Deputy the details - for advice on other funding streams that could be explored. In October, I announced the allocation of €4.4 million through the community safety fund to 42 new community safety projects nationwide. There are other sources of funding available. I am happy to engage with the Deputy in putting the national community office in touch with Whitechurch. If it is a commendable project, which I believe it is, it can apply for other sources. There is no guarantee that if a project gets funding under the community safety fund one year that it will get it the next year.
Sentiment score: 0.42
We had a discussion about this today at the justice committee and the Deputy will be aware how I mentioned that it was only last May that the DRIVE project had been launched. I know we had a discussion as to whether €280,000 was sufficient. It is the start. I want to see more money going into it and there is an ask for more money in respect of it. I am very conscious of the impact that drug-related intimidation and violence has on communities. It is important that those communities know they have the support of the State in combating that level of intimidation. If people believe they are on their own and they have no one to turn to, that is a very lonely place for them to be. If, however, there are support groups in place that can provide relief and support to individuals who are suffering drug-related intimidation, that can strengthen them. The Garda take this matter extremely seriously as well, as the Deputy knows. Anyone who is subjected to drug-related intimidation should report it to the Garda. The Garda will deal with it sensitively. The alternative is we just allow the law of wild west to operate, and that is not acceptable.
Sentiment score: 0.02