Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is welcome back to the House this afternoon. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I compliment the members of Young Fine Gael on their work on this issue. I also commend all Members of this House who fully support this very important legislation. Senator Doherty outlined a specific case in her area. I am sure there are cases throughout the country. Spiking is a horrible, devious and despicable act to carry out on any individual. I am glad to see legislation specifically dealing with the offence. I can understand how young people would be nervous about coming forward. The Minister mentioned the importance of a campaign to create awareness of this offence.More important, we must show young people who may have been victims of this particular act that there is a pathway for them to come forward, through the Garda and the authorities, and encourage them not to carry this on their own. It is a despicable crime. The only word I can use to describe it is disgusting. I encourage anybody who has been a victim of it to come forward. I think awareness is key. It is important that people know that there is a clear pathway there for them to come forward if they happen to be victims of the crime. The Minister mentioned the ongoing engagement with the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Garda. That is very welcome. I agree with Senator Doherty that having a specific offence here is important. I know the Bill has completed its journey in this House. I would like to know what the pathway is from here on in in relation to that. Does the Minister, through her own office, bring in a specific piece of legislation on it? Perhaps that would be the quickest way to get legislation on the Statute Book. I would welcome her comments on that. I thank everybody involved and bualadh bos to the three young people in the Gallery as well. I commend them on their work.