Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I lend my full support to the legislation that is being proposed. It is a very worthy piece of legislation that needs the attention of the Government in an appropriate manner to make sure we can get it on the Statute Book. I acknowledge the good work done by Young Fine Gael to progress the legislation, working with my colleagues in the Seanad to make sure it was drafted appropriately. It is a wonderful piece of legislation. There is a gap in the Statute Book. This legislation needs to be enacted to ensure that we have suitable and competent legislation that can protect people from spiking when they go out. I was actually asked to do a bit of work with Kinsale Community School a few months ago, on a podcast on the spiking issue. Transition year students did a survey on spiking in the school. The response from the student population to the issue was amazing. When there are fourth years who are campaigning to promote the issue, more needs to be done on awareness and through legislation. The issue needs to be talked about in a public forum at more regular intervals. That is really important. The one thing I took from the conversation with the fourth years of Kinsale Community School was the need for an awareness campaign. There is a huge issue about improving awareness, talking about it, and having a campaign highlighting what could happen to you on a night out if your drink got spiked.

I am very aware of the issue. Two christmasses ago, a neighbour of mine, who is a fine, strong young man, was on a night out and woke up on the side of the street with his phone, wallet and watch gone. He does not remember anything about what happened. This man is a rugby player and a fine, solid bloke. It was amazing the effect this incident had on him in the weeks following the event. There is a huge issue around awareness and what we need to do, but the big issue is the legislation. The legislation needs to be strong enough to support victims. These people are going on a night out, like all of us did back in the day, and all of a sudden they find themselves in a very vulnerable situation. As others have said, what is required is for this legislation to be brought forward in a timely manner so we can protect our young people from what is happening out there. I do not think the figures on spiking incidents are accurate. There is a lot of underreporting of incidents. As I have said, we all know somebody who has been affected by the issue. It is about making sure we can get the legislation brought forward to protect those people.

In summing up, I compliment the fourth years of Kinsale Community School on their work and on what they have done on the awareness campaign. They have started the campaign in their own school and have brought the issue to the fore. I said previously that this legislation would be brought forward on the floor of the Oireachtas. I am delighted now that has happened. This legislation will now be a part of the laws that are required to ensure we can keep our young people safe out there. I acknowledge the Minister's good work over the past few months. He has been an excellent Minister for Justice. I wish him the best when he moves back into his main portfolio. He has been very competent, capable and good to work with. I thank him for his time.