I second Senator Kennelly's wonderful idea for an event in recognition of the lovely Jessie Buckley. Allow yourself to bend like a willow in the wind, so that you will not break. A willow tree represents resilience and adapting to the wisdom of life's storms. Last week, I had the honour of going to the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan where Meath Women's Refuge changed its name to Willow Domestic Abuse Services. My council colleagues have approved plans by Meath County Council for a new women's refuge on a 1.3 ha site in Navan. This is a major step forward in addressing domestic abuse and providing vital protection for women and children in Meath. The new refuge will provide a modern, purpose-built facility, delivering essential front-line support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. It will include a main building offering day services, counselling and support facilities, together with 12 secure residential accommodation units designed to meet urgent safety needs. It will also include secure parking and a protected residential courtyard featuring a secure sensory garden to create a safe, therapeutic and supportive environment for residents rebuilding their lives after abuse. It comes at a time when domestic abuse services across Ireland are under unprecedented pressure.

In 2024, Women's Aid recorded 46,700 disclosures of domestic violence, with 41,000 of those against women and 5,000 of them involving children. Locally, Willow Domestic Abuse Services reported a 22% increase in helpline calls in 2024, with 1,376 calls for help received and 194 women and children stayed in refuge accommodation while hundreds more accessed outreach and core support services.

Funding for the women's refuge has been improved and I welcome this major investment. This investment represents not only additional accommodation but a critical response to a growing social need, ensuring that women and children in Meath have access to safety, dignity and specialist support when they need it most. Although this is a wonderful investment, it has never been more important to keep up this investment across County Meath and Ireland.

As Fianna Fáil spokesperson in the Seanad for arts and culture, I will use my time to congratulate Ireland's very own slice of Kerry gold, Jessie Buckley, on her magnificent win. It is the crowning glory of what has been an incredible few weeks, becoming the first ever Irish woman to win the best actress Oscar. I do not want to sound like I am making an Oscar's speech myself but we have to mention Marina Cassidy and Tim Buckley, her very proud parents. She has made everybody right across this country, and particularly in her own county, extremely proud. I mention those schools, such as the Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, County Tipperary and the Kerry School of Music because they are certainly taking a lot of really well-deserved credit for where she is now.

This is something we need to focus on a little bit more as well. She is an incredible role model for arts right across Ireland and we need to focus on how we can capitalise on this and make sure the next generation following Jessie Buckley can come along.

Of course, it was not even a few weeks ago when Jessie Buckley appeared on the Jimmy Fallon show on American television. She famously mentioned Termonfeckin and Drogheda in my parish. We were delighted and we have made her an honorary Termonfeckin women and a Droghedian as well. I take this opportunity to formally invite her to come and visit Termonfeckin and Drogheda, where we would be delighted to allow her to show off her Oscar.

It is also a good opportunity for me to invite the Minister for arts into the Seanad to have a debate on how we can possibly fund smaller drama groups and smaller community groups to make sure the future of the likes of Jessie Buckley is safe in Ireland.