Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is a good and positive day for everyone in Ireland. It was wrong that stalking was not part of our legislation. Women like Eve McDowell, Una Ring and all the other victims have been pushing for this legislation. Thankfully, our colleague Senator Chambers took up that mantle and brought this Bill to the House. The rarity of a Bill from the Seanad being brought through by a Member of this House must be acknowledged. That in itself makes this an historic day.

This Bill is part of something bigger that is happening at grassroots level in this country. We are beginning to see a change. I look forward to the third strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence being published. We all speak constantly of this issue in this House. I hope we are all on a wind of change with regard to gender-based and domestic violence and will be able to protect all our citizens and make sure we are safe on our streets and in our homes. It is a good day and a good start. We wish the Minister the best bringing this Bill through speedily and at as early an opportunity as possible. I am sure she agrees that it is an important and decent Bill.