Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am standing in for my colleague, Senator Ó Donnghaile, today. I will begin by congratulating Senator Chambers. I agree with everything she said about this being a very good day for this House. It is a very significant Bill.

Before I speak to the Bill specifically, I will commend the makers of Monday night's "RTÉ Investigates" programme. It was a powerful, disturbing and very frightening revelation of what life is like for women who are brutalised by their husbands or partners and how they are let down by the State when it comes to protecting them or effectively prosecuting their abusers. I suggest that the leadership of An Garda Síochána and the Judiciary watch this programme and, in particular, address those issues where much more can be done to help those women caught in a violent and, in many cases, threatening relationship. I suggest this not to take away from the great help and assistance women receive from the Garda and Judiciary, but the programme highlighted specific areas where more needs to be done.

I will quickly recap some of the main points made with regard to the stalking Bill as it made its way through its various Stages. Many stalkers are charged by the Garda with intimidation or harassment, but no specific stalking legislation exists. Some victims of stalking do not believe that harassment properly defines the insidious effect stalking can have on their lives.Victims have to change their daily routine. They suffer from mental health issues and their relationships with their families and friends are turned upside-down. I have personal experience of someone very close to me whose life was torn apart by a stalker. It is a good few years ago now but the lady in question never recovered from the horrendous effects of it. More support is needed for victims' services and the support organisations, which are run on a shoestring budget. Sentencing must match the gravity of the charges that are brought against the stalker. Stalking is a very serious matter and those who practise it need to know that they will face serious time in prison. I agree with colleagues who asked for swift passage of this Bill. It is a good day and I congratulate Senator Chambers.