Ireland fully supports the aims and terms of the Istanbul Convention. The Convention is a significant legal instrument in the fight against domestic and sexual violence. The protection of members of society from domestic violence, sexual violence and exploitation are primary concerns for me and my Department. Ireland signed the Istanbul Convention on 5 November 2015. The Government has also approved an action plan which contains the small number of actions which, when implemented, will enable Ireland to ratify the Istanbul Convention. The action plan has timescales and has been drawn up in consultation with other Government Departments and agencies. The actions are also contained in the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021 which was launched in January.