In 2023, Women's Aid received its highest ever number of domestic abuse disclosures in its 50-year history. There were 40,048 disclosures of domestic abuse against women and children, which was an increase of nearly 20% in a year. Among the horrors being experienced by women behind closed doors were assaults with weapons, constant surveillance, rape and threats to life. Much of this violence happens in secret. In fact, secrecy is what makes domestic violence so damaging and so endemic. It is why a domestic violence register is so important. The family of Jennie Poole, who was murdered by her former partner in 2021, have led the campaign to create such a register. Before he became the Minister for Justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan supported the family. However, the programme for Government makes no mention of the register. Women need this information. Their lives could depend on it. Why is the creation of a domestic violence register not a priority for this Government?

I thank the Deputy for raising this extraordinarily important issue. It is one we have worked on across the House during the last period of time, including publishing an ambitious domestic, sexual and gender-based violence strategy, which was led by my colleague, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and establishing a new agency, called Cuan, to drive this zero-tolerance approach. When I was the Minister for Justice, I had the absolute honour of meeting Jennie's brother, Jason. He has rightly, as the Deputy said, been campaigning for what he calls "Jennie's Law". Within that is a very sensible proposal on how we get to a domestic violence register. The Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, is very committed to addressing this important issue and ensuring there are effective measures in place so the Garda can issue confidential warnings to persons who may be a risk in an intimate relationship. This is the ultimate aim of what needs to be achieved. Work is ongoing in the Department of Justice and I know engagement will take place in this regard.