Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

These amendments deal with the length of emergency barring orders. It is important that such orders be of sufficient length to provide the protection required. We need to keep people safe for as long as possible, particularly where children are involved, as they require consistency and security. No child should be made homeless when escaping domestic abuse. Extending the length of emergency barring orders is in the best interests of the child. Ideally, I would like to see orders being extended to six months, but I understand that this is a complex matter and there are constitutional issues involved, in that such an extension would infringe on other rights. We must strike a balance between eight days, which is a very short period, to as long as possible. Amendments Nos. 21 to 25, inclusive, suggest various lengths. I will support amendment No. 23, which seeks to change the period to at least 20 days, but I would like the period to be longer, in particular because children are being placed in a difficult situation due to the insecurity of a barring order of only eight days.