David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The definition of "victim" on page 8 states:

"victim" means a natural person who has suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss, which was directly caused by an offence.

Anything that we put in after that does not make any major difference because the person is recognised as being a victim and that person need not prove that he or she is a victim. One people say they are victims, then they are victims under the legislation. It is a consistent definition used throughout the Bill.

It is in the recital of the directive rather than the main text for the reasons stated. In fact, the definition in the Bill is wide; it is not narrow at all. It does not need to be qualified in any way because it already encompasses what the Deputies have said. It is already there. I would be concerned that the amendment would have the effect of narrowing down the definition rather than widening it. There is no need for it. We can look at it again on Report Stage, if necessary. We can reflect on it again.