Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin will also support the amendment. The amendments proposed on Report Stage are generally drafting amendments. I commend the quick progress of the Bill from the Seanad onwards. That is because of the desire of organisations such as Women's Aid, the Rape Crisis Network and SAFE Ireland to see it progressed. A great deal of good work was done in the Seanad. I commend Senators on that work and the Minister and the Department for their constructive engagement with some very valuable amendments, in particular amendments relating to a course of control. That has improved the Bill. I commend the lobbying organisations on a very successful exercise on their part in seeking amendments and getting them into the Bill.

As the Minister and Deputy O'Callaghan said, amendment No. 1 ensures proceedings under the 1996 Act can be maintained. In its most recent report, Women's Aid highlighted the barriers and dangers women face when trying to leave an abusive partner. The report contained a proposal which I think is not included in the legislation. If it is not, I ask the Minister to provide an indication as to whether he is open to it. I refer to the proposal for a rule of no contact until contact is safe. That relates to the fact that it is currently possible for an abuser to persistently contact the person who has been abused provided there is no direct threat of violence. Whereas persistent contact in and of itself may be intimidating or abusive, it is not currently prohibited. I ask the Minister to comment on that and indicate whether he is open to the idea of a rule on no contact until contact is safe. Does he intend to pursue that?

See this speech in context