Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Senator for raising this matter and for the further elaboration in response to my opening statement. We will continue to treat stalking with the gravity it demands and we encourage all victims of stalking to report it to An Garda Síochána. Offences now carry potential sentences of up to ten years. Some of these offences had previously only carried sentences of five years but they were doubled and came into effect for offences since 1 November last year. It is something the Garda treats very seriously.

Across government we are committed to creating a system that allows victims to feel comfortable in coming forward and to know they will be supported and protected. I must compliment the Garda in this area, especially since Covid. The issue of sexual abuse and domestic abuse really went to the top of the radar because so many people were at home at that time. I am aware that for the gardaí in my own area, domestic abuse issues were the first ones to be dealt with. People often complain to me that if there was a crash or their house was being broken into the gardaí would go to scenes of domestic violence first. I actually take that as a great credit to the Garda and it is still its priority. It is the first thing gardaí will actually do.

The issue of technology has to be dealt with. It is so pervasive and is everywhere in our lives. It even affects us when driving in our cars. I often wonder how the various map systems can tell us where there is a red spot indicating traffic delays on a road.I gather it is done through all the technology on the phones in the region, so it is known where there is a pile-up. Every movement is being tracked and, as a result, we need tighter controls in this area.