I thank the Taoiseach for clarifying the matter.

I ask about legislation promised in the programme for Government to deal with the issue of domestic violence. I do not know if the Taoiseach has seen the latest statistics from Safe Ireland which were released today. They make for depressing and startling reading.

Has legislation been promised?

Women were turned away from services more than 2,500 times.

I am sorry, Deputy, but we are not discussing the issue now. Has legislation been promised?

It is shocking that women are treated in that manner. I ask the Taoiseach about the issue of consolidated and reformed domestic violence legislation which I have raised previously with him.

The public hearings at the Joint Committee on Health and Children will take place for three days only, on 8, 9 and 10 January. They will be for the purpose of informing everybody here and in the country at large about the issues arising. They will be about whatever option the Government decides on. I do not want anybody to run away with the impression that this is an attempt to kick the matter into a committee where it will travel down the road again. That is why we asked an expert group to report on the decision of the European Court of Human Rights.

The programme for Government commitment is to consolidate and reform domestic violence legislation to address all aspects of domestic violence, threatened violence and intimidation in a way that will provide protection for victims. I cannot announce a date for the introduction of the legislation, but it has been worked on since last July. This morning I saw the report on the figures which are simply appalling in the context of the fear among and threats to individuals who suffer domestic violence. I will advise the Deputy on progress on the work to date.