Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for being so positive on this. I also thank our group’s leader, Senator Doherty, and Senator Ward for their work on the Bill. However, all credit needs to go to Young Fine Gael for its hard work. It goes to show that, if you get involved in politics, you can change and influence matters. Here we are bringing into law a Bill that has been at the heart of Young Fine Gael’s #PricklessNight campaign.

Under no circumstances is it acceptable that you would find yourself at risk of unconsciousness or losing control because of the actions of another individual. The lack of consent and the taking of a substance, however it is applied, in this context are appalling and need to form a stand-alone offence.There have been too many instances of, and too many discussions about, spiking in recent years. There needs to be a stand-alone offence for this form of assault. As was very well articulated by my colleague, Senator Ward, the fact is that the definition of assault needs to evolve. It needs to respond to the prevalent threat to young people, particularly those who are out. The idea that you cannot leave your drink down without the possibility of it being interfered with is quite appalling. There is that sense of putting a duty and responsibility on an individual to mind their own drink, when actually, they should just be entitled to have their drinks and to get up and dance. They should do those things while being free of the fear of wondering if they will make it home intact, if they will be safe tonight, if they will be threatened, if there will be theft or if they will be assaulted.

I spoke to a couple of young people who had complete blackouts after being spiked. They had no memory of what had happened. The insecurity of that goes on for a number of years afterwards. It does not go away. The fear of the what could have been or what might have happened is just terrible. Because of that fear and that threat, they have to get tests afterwards, take post-event contraception and everything like that as a result of the unknown factors.

We need a deterrent on the Statute Book. Where people engage in this offence, we need a very serious prosecution. The idea that this can be an indictable offence is very important. I want to congratulate them for their incredible work that has brought us to this point. I am very grateful that we had the opportunity to bring the Bill forward as a group. I am also grateful for the unanimous support for the Bill I thank the Minister.