Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur faoi reachtaíocht atá forógraithe. The programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce consolidated and reformed domestic violence legislation to address all aspects of domestic violence, threatened violence and intimidation in a manner that provides protection to victims. I have raised this issue with the Taoiseach on a number of occasions. Given the recent number of high-profile cases of violence against women, I believe this is even more urgently required. The Minister may know that Women's Aid reported a 55% increase in the number of reports of child abuse it received last year when compared with 2011. When will the Government deliver on this commitment, publish the legislation and have it debated in the Dáil?

I understand the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, wrote to Deputy Adams on this issue. Deputy Adams many not have had a chance to see the correspondence yet but there is a strong commitment in it to bring forward consolidated legislation in this area, which is necessary. He has made it quite clear that his Department wants to prioritise it. We do not have an exact date yet because consultation is required before it can be introduced, but it is a priority area in which he wants to introduce consolidated legislation and as soon as there is a date I expect he will get back to Deputy Adams directly.