James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for bringing forward this Bill and speaking on it this afternoon. It is a very important issue. The contributions have been quite interesting and enlightening. I know there has been a general discussion on this Bill. The Minister, Deputy Harris, spoke on the Bill on Second Stage and he noted that observations are being sought from An Garda Síochána and the DPP and that engagement is ongoing. However, the situation is extremely worrying for people. Setting out to spike a drink is an horrific thing for anybody to do. Spiking is a very serious situation that needs to be viewed in that way. It can have very long-lasting effects.

I commend Senator Doherty on bringing forward this very important Bill and for giving us the opportunity to consider this very serious situation. Spiking victims often describe experiencing feelings of embarrassment, shame and loss of confidence and trauma when of course, they should not experience any of those things but that is the nature of these types of occurrences. It is horrific that anybody could head out to do something like this. It is a timely conversation. As has been noted, reports of spiking incidences has increased not only in Ireland but in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. We are very concerned to come up with the most appropriate way to address this very challenging situation.