Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As per the directive, we are defining the right of somebody to have a support person with them if they choose. It may or may not be a legal person. That is a good development. I also agree there can be limited circumstances where a garda sees something is not right and the accompanying person is actually not supporting the victim and needs to intervene. I have no problem with these parts of the provision.

My concern is in cases where a garda might have had some indirect involvement or knew some of the people involved and could block an alternative, putting the victim off from seeking support. It is unlikely but the person should have the right to choose a replacement.