Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I, too, commend amendments Nos. 3 to 6, inclusive. A lot of what I was going to say has been said so I will not rehearse it.

Amendment No. 3 contains an important addition in the context of the phrase "that it regards as relevant to the applicant concerned and his or her family". Senator Norris has eloquently outlined the reasons the provision is necessary.

The new section 5(1)(f) to be inserted by amendment No. 4 contains the phrase "the applicant’s perception of risks to his or her own safety and security". The use of the word "perception" is critical. We have already touched upon the notion of - and I hate even saying the following because I cannot think of a better term - the traditional understanding of domestic violence. What passed for domestic violence in the past is changing because of changes in the world around us and in how the people in society interact and engage with each other, whether it is through more known and understood forms of abuse, coercion, intimidation or violence or, indeed, whether it is the victim's perception due to the use of new technologies, Senator Norris referred to revenge porn, its impact on people and the fact that it is a form of abuse. The word "perception" would be an important addition.

The word "coercion" is used in the new section 5(3)(b) to be inserted by amendment No. 4. We have had a very worthwhile discussion on what constitutes coercion and how it impacts and sits within this sphere. There is merit in making coercion a specific criminal offence. The provision is not necessarily a matter for this debate but, as this legislation and the debate on the issue to which it relates move forward, it is becoming increasingly clear and understood that coercion is a pointed and sharp edge of domestic violence and how it manifests itself.

I support the amendments and Sinn Féin commends them to the House.