Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will definitely take her up on her invitation to sit down with her and work out the details of this legislation. I appreciate the work she has done in this area. She is a reforming Minister. I challenge her to live up to her good reputation of open-mindedness and reform in this area, which I know she cares about, for the sake of the victims and their families and relations. Children in these scenarios are either direct or indirect victims and are severely impacted.Before the end of term, I hope to introduce the amendment Bill. That Bill will ensure that, in coercive control cases, accused people face a tougher bail regime. There are two parts to that. It already qualifies under the significance of the sentence but it is simply not in the bail schedule. It is a simple, self-contained, straightforward legislative amendment that will make a difference. If people do not get bail, perhaps some of them are very dangerous and we will save lives. I look forward to bringing that to our discussion. It is another step that is small but meaningful. The cumulative effect of all these changes protects the most vulnerable and victims.

I put tonight's Bill before the House because victims of coercive control want to be treated the same as other victims of sexual offences and protective orders. They want an overt signal, a guarantee of anonymity, a prohibition of the press and safeguarding of their privacy at this most vulnerable time. They do not want to go searching through an implied provision somewhere. We will discuss this. They want to be put on the same level as others who do not have to scamper to see if it is caught under common law or some legislative provision. I commend the people who brought forward the principal Act, namely, the Domestic Violence Act 2018. That was a monumental, seismic legislative initiative, but the retired Chief Justice, Ms Justice Susan Denham, once described the Constitution as a living, breathing document that evolves. This Act certainly evolves. In fact, it should be overhauled. I really commend the people who drove the first furrow but it is time to overhaul that Act. We know more about the hurt in society and we must respond accordingly.

I think the Minister has to rush to a vote and I want, out of courtesy, to conclude when she is still in the Chamber. I thank her and I thank Members for their kind, encouraging remarks. I appreciate it. They will inspire me to bring in more legislation.