Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Byrne. I know she is a constituent of his. It is great to see this proactive measure being taken. It is a great move but it is only happening because there is a legislative vacuum in this area, which is a huge failure. Many people have contacted me over the past year and a half with concerns about online abuse and so on which I have documented in this House, particularly when I brought my Bill to Second Stage. I remember a headline from 2013 which stated that cyberbullies claimed the lives of five teenagers. I am sure all Senators would agree that for five children to have taken their own lives is five too many. It is clear there is a massive problem and the parish priest in Ashbourne has recognised this. It has been allowed to fester as a result of a lack of legislation. The reality is that adults and children in this State have been exposed to sustained and sometimes orchestrated campaigns of online abuse and their mental health and well-being has suffered. Unfortunately, they have no recourse. I call on the Minister for Justice, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, to return to the House to debate my Bill on Committee and Report Stages and conclude the matter for the betterment of our online world.