Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Once again, you have managed to be offensive without actually contributing to the debate. It is about saying that if a person is part of a group that is repeatedly targeted, we recognise that is a serious matter. It is an aggravating factor and is a crime all of its own. It is appropriate for these Houses to recognise the impact that has on those individuals and to say, if you are going to do that, you will suffer greater consequences before the courts. I do not have a problem with any of that. I have no concerns about this legislation. I certainly have no concerns about the semantics that the Senator finds to try to satisfy the very limited cohort of people who have concerns about this, many of whom have emailed me and with whom I have engaged. I do not have concerns. This is an entirely proportionate and reasonable piece of legislation.

I recognise what the Minister has done in taking on board the concerns expressed on Second Stage in this House, in saying she will slim it down to satisfy those people. I do hope it is something we can revisit in the next session of these Houses, whenever that is. I acknowledge what the Minister has done. I put on record my admiration for the fact that she has taken the concerns on board and resolved those issues. Despite the fact that she has done that, Senator Mullen and his cronies still come in here and find a way to complain about it. Let us please get on with passing an important piece of legislation.