We were all pleased to see the success of the cricket team.

More coaches for Malahide.

I congratulate the team. Some of the puns used by the Leas-Chathaoirelach and others put us on a sticky wicket, but we will pass on.

Senator Paul Coghlan raised the Garda Síochána issue which I have dealt with.

My thanks to Senator Sean D. Barrett for supplying me with some of the material about which he was speaking concerning the revelations on Newstalk this morning relating to the non-allocation of penalty points. I realise he engaged comprehensively with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport during the debate on the Road Traffic Bill and commend him for his important contributions and proactive engagement. It is a good example of the important work the Seanad can do with a listening Minister and good to hear the issue was highlighted this morning on Newstalk.

Senator Tony Mulcahy spoke about his contribution yesterday on domestic violence at the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. I was privileged to be present for the full three hour hearing and there, in particular, with Senator Katherine Zappone during Senator Tony Mulcahy's powerful and moving contribution in which he spoke about his personal experience. As others have said, he deserves our thanks because he brought home to everyone listening the appalling experience of domestic violence. I support the Senator in his call for legislation and a change in culture in respect of criminalisation. I emphasise for colleagues, however, that domestic violence is criminalised. The Garda police it and there has been a change in culture to take it more seriously. However, what we do not have is a specific offence of domestic violence. This was the issue raised with us yesterday by several groups, including Safe Ireland. By contrast, for example, Sweden has a specific offence of domestic violence. The Garda prosecutes on the basis of assault or non-fatal offences against the person legislation which includes a range of assault offences. Naturally, domestic violence encompasses these as well as sexual offences under the sexual offences laws. Most commonly it is prosecuted as a breach of barring orders. This is because where a barring order is in place, a breach by a perpetrator of violence is a criminal offence. There is extensive criminalisation but not the targeted focused criminalisation of a specific offence which might improve the culture of policing and the apprehension of perpetrators. Senator Tony Mulcahy spoke eloquently about the need for the Garda to be more proactive by removing perpetrators from the scene of the crime, which is what the family home is, rather than having the victims and, usually, children flee the family home, as often happens. It was a powerful contribution and we were all moved by it. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality is drawing up a solutions focused report on the necessary changes to legislation to make the policing of domestic violence more effective. I know we have a listening Minister on the matter who is very committed to the legislation.

Senator Kathryn Reilly commented on local and community development companies and the alignment issue. I imagine the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, would be happy to come to the House to hear statements on the issue and update us on progress. I understand councillors will have more powers and that there will be more formal alignment arrangements. The Senator raised some practical issues that may be teased out with the Minister.

Senator Terry Brennan also congratulated the cricket team and remarked on the need to criminalise violence in all its forms in the home and schools. Again, we heard powerful testimony and I thank the Senator for his support.

Senator David Norris congratulated Senator Fiach Mac Conghail and gave a strong endorsement of the performance of "Sive" last night. I was sorry I could not see it, but I hope to see it at some point. Senator David Norris's description of the play as a masterpiece sounds right.

The Senator also mentioned the visit to Japan, an issue on which I will follow up with the Whips in the Dáil. I understand the invitation was received from the Whip's office, which is not the appropriate place. Senator Paul Coghlan has pointed out to me that we should put the matter on the agenda for the next meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and perhaps we might have cross-party support for it.

Senator Michael Mullins complimented Senator Tony Mulcahy on his contribution and spoke about domestic violence and the policing allegations. Senator Diarmuid Wilson also commended Senator Tony Mulcahy and spoke about the need to ensure more effective criminalisation of domestic violence. He also spoke about the issues in respect of the Irish Postmasters Union, on which I gave a full response yesterday when I said the Government was committed to sustaining a viable An Post network and supported the maintenance of a maximum number of economically viable post offices. We have one of the most extensive post office networks per head of population in the European Union. I gave the numbers and pointed out that we could have a debate on the report published last year by the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications on the sustainable future of post office networks. However, as I said yesterday, An Post is a commercial State body. It has seen an enormous drop in its business in traditional mail volumes which have fallen by 25% in five years simply because of changes in people's practices. It is bidding for other business on a level playing field. The local property tax can be paid through the post office and An Post has recently been selected, following a competitive tender, by the Department of Social Protection to provide over the counter cash services for social welfare recipients. It will pitch strongly in the tendering process for the e-payment business of that Department. Senator Paschal Mooney proposed an amendment to the Order of Business yesterday on this issue; therefore, those who have raised it today should look at the record to see what was-----