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

Various Bills are amended, whether with regard to assault; non-fatal offences against the person; assault causing harm; assault causing serious harm; threats to kill; coercion; harassment; endangerment; damaging property; threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour; distribution or display in a public place of material which is threatening, abusive or insulting; entering a building with an intent to commit an offence; or assault with intent to cause harm.The changes are for the purpose of this legislation. We are talking about hate crimes. We are talking about people who are physically being assaulted, who are being victimised, who are the victims of crime because of who they are. The characteristics that we have chosen will make sure that those who are most vulnerable, based on the facts and the evidence that we have, are protected under this legislation. That is the objective here.