Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will have seen from the debate yesterday and, indeed, from the debate over many years that there is no single way to deal with domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. However, making sure that our laws are adequate is one way. It is not just introducing new laws but also improving the existing laws. Two such areas are non-fatal strangulation and stalking. I have listened to victims over the last year or so, particularly Eve McDowell and Una Ring on stalking and, sadly, some of my own friends on their experiences. I have listened to advocacy groups and An Garda Síochána on non-fatal strangulation and how that, in itself, leads to often fatal violence. Based on that engagement and consultation, I will bring forward ways in which we can strengthen and clarify the laws on those two issues. The miscellaneous provisions Bill, in which I will place both of these changes, will be published in this term and the intention is that it will be moved through the Houses as quickly as possible. Regarding the other legislative measures, some will be published in this term, some will be published in the next term and some will be in the third term of the year.

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