Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is odd to debate an amendment to the amendment before the amendment is put but if that is in order, I will do it now. As I said, I have no stylistic preference as to whether the Long Title and Short Title are put at the front or the back of the Bill, as long as they explain to any reader what the Bill is about.

The amendment I am putting now is important because it has an enormous emotional attachment. I am aware I am asking the Minister to cross a threshold. The main advocate among many, however, and the visible face of this campaign across the country for the past number of years, has been Ms Jackie Fox, who gave a moving and passionate account of her suffering outside the Dáil at the start of this term. Her beautiful daughter, Nicole, was driven to suicide by vicious online bullies and took her own life.

In memory of Nicole, she has asked that as well as having the normal Title of the Bill, we also use a shorthand, which is that this Act, when it is enacted, can also be known as Coco's Law. It is a shorthand used in many jurisdictions in memory of people who have contributed to fundamental legal change.

I know from my years on the other side of the table how resistant the system is to that sort of move. It would, however, mean a huge amount. I cannot describe to members how much it would mean to Nicole's family, particularly to her mother, her extended family and all her supporters, if the Minister could agree to that. I hope we can make that small adjustment and add the amendment I am suggesting that this Bill may also be referred to as Coco's Law.