Cabinet Committees
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-15
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Rose Conway-Walsh (SF), Mayo

The recent case and indeed the resilience and courage of former Garda Margaret Loftus exposed the systematic and institutionalised failures in addressing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland, particularly when the alleged perpetrators are members of An Garda Síochána. Reliance on self-disclosure leaves systematic blind spots, allowing potential perpetrators to maintain investigative authority over other victims. Without statutory oversight, independent monitoring and systemic reform, Garda structures can shield perpetrators and undermine public confidence. I welcome the recent setting up of the dedicated domestic violence unit, but does the Taoiseach agree that the mandatory reporting of barring and protection orders is now necessary? Does he believe it is right that a garda who is convicted of breaking the law should still serve in An Garda Síochána?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-15/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-15