Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The scale of the need for access to emergency barring orders out of hours is much greater than has been described. For the reasons that Senator Bacik outlined, the burden sits with the victim, who may or may not decide to pursue an order or may come under duress in the intervening period. From Friday night to Monday morning is a long time for someone who is being persuaded by another person of whom he or she is afraid.

When there is no such thing as out-of-hours provision, of course the level of activation of out-of-hours services will be lower because it does not exist save for in exceptional circumstances. I would be happy to work with the organisations in order to provide the Minister of State with evidence of the scale of the issue. For the reasons cited by my colleagues, it is greater than he has described.