Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-16
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Simon Harris (FG), Wicklow

I very much do. I thank Deputy Stanley for raising this issue. Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is an epidemic in Irish society. In fact, there are certain people in certain positions of power and influence in certain parts of the world who are trying to make sure we talk about these issues less. There has been an effort at times to shut down debate on these issues, and to use phrases like “woke” and the like. Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is something that needs the full attention and focus of all of us who hold positions of influence.
We have major issues in relation to young men and how they are getting sex education and being introduced to people who put themselves forward as role models who are despicable, vile, disgusting individuals, some prominently known and some less prominently known, all having a corrosive effect on our society. We have a huge amount of work to do and men cannot recuse themselves from this conversation. Men need to show leadership in this conversation, too.
On the issue of the roll-out of refuges, the Deputy is entirely right. Cuan, a statutory agency, has been set up and the Minister for justice is working closely with it. I will specifically ask him to determine what can be done on the project in Laois that the Deputy has mentioned to see if we can take that forward.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:52:17+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-16