Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Malcolm Byrne. I also thank Senator O'Loughlin, who seconded the Bill. As both Senators present outlined, there has been a worrying evolving trend of protests outside politicians' homes. While we all want to protect the right for people to protest peacefully, that trend has taken a more sinister and worrying direction. It is important that we do everything that we can to protect those who are democratically elected and have a mandate to represent their constituents and to work on behalf of this country.

I have written to the Committee on Justice to ask it to look at this. We needed to pass all Stages here before proceeding. I look forward to the Bill going to the committee as soon as possible and when the new Chair has been appointed. I will work with the Senator through that process and beyond.

I again thank the Senator for bringing the Bill forward. I acknowledge the objective of the Bill and the overall requirement to make sure that we have strong laws that protect everybody here. It is not only about politicians' homes. We need to send a message that any type of intimidation or any type of behaviour that would set out to cause harm or fear to an individual or his or her family cannot be tolerated. I thank the Senator. I am happy to support the legislation.