Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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16. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to explicitly recognise stalking as a ground for applying for a safety order. [28240/13]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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27. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce a specific offence of stalking as has been the case in Scotland and Victoria. [28239/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 27 together.

The Law Reform Commission is considering, at my request, a possible amendment to section 10 of the Non-fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997, which deals with harassment. This arises from reports of difficulties in bringing successful prosecutions under that section in relation to domestic and sexual violence. I understand that the Law Reform Commission expects to complete a discussion or consultation paper shortly in relation to their consideration of the provision. I expect that their paper will also consider whether stalking should be specifically provided for in legislation.