Domestic Violence Judgments Register Bill 2026: Second Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-16
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Robbie Gallagher (FF), Labour Panel

The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, is very welcome back to the Seanad to discuss this very important matter. I put on record again my appreciation for the vigour, the enthusiasm and the determination that he has brought to this portfolio and the changes he is bringing in. They are all very important, including the particular issue we are discussing here this afternoon. I thank him on behalf of us all in the House. I would also like to welcome and acknowledge the presence of Jason and Joe here and to commend them as well, along with Deputy Paul McAuliffe, for their work in this area. I also welcome David French and commend him on the work and advocacy that both families have undertaken in extremely difficult and painful circumstances. Both families are to be commended on the huge effort they are making to bring much-needed change in both areas. We owe you all a deep debt of gratitude in that regard.
The Minister outlined the Bill as he is presenting it here this afternoon. I am sure all Senators will enthusiastically get behind that and make sure this legislation becomes law as soon as possible. The scourge of domestic violence still haunts us as a country. The statistics, unfortunately, seem to be going in the wrong way. I just came across statistics back in 2024 and An Garda Síochána responded to something like 65,000 call-outs from domestic abuse situations in one year. That is 1,250 calls every single week of the year. Those figures are truly frightening and hugely disappointing. I imagine the courage it took for those 1,250 people to pick up the phone and to make that call initially. We can only imagine how painful and stressful that was but I salute those great people and hope their lives are in a better place today for making that call. I also make an appeal here to all women, girls and children who find themselves in a similar situation to please, please come forward. May they get the courage to pick up the phone, ring a friend or ring a member of the Garda, and not suffer in silence, because there is help out there. The biggest step is the first step. That is the step when they pick up the phone and make that call. I make that plea to anybody who finds themselves in that horrible situation to please come forward.
The business as outlined by the Minister this afternoon is a huge positive step forward. This register will give hope and clarity to many people. There are also safeguards for those who will find themselves on the register, which the Minister has outlined in his report. Suffice to say, and I will conclude on this point, I commend both families on being here. I commend the Minister on the enthusiasm and the vigour he is bringing to the Department, particularly around this issue. I will hand over now to my colleague, Senator O'Loughlin.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:03+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-16