Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1067. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 1044 of 30 July 2020, the status of the amendments to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017 which were to be approved in September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33326/20]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1068. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 1044 of 30 July 2020, if she will ensure that legislation to tackle the non-consensual distribution of intimate images is introduced by her regardless of a potential Private Members’ Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33327/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1067 and 1068 together.

The Government is committed to taking action to tackle the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.

The Programme for Governments commits to enacting the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017, which has been sponsored by Deputy Brendan Howlin. The Bill provides for many of the legislative changes recommended by the Law Reform Commission in its report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety.

My officials are continuing to work with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to finalise amendments, which I hope to bring to Government for approval shortly. I understand that the bill has been listed for committee stage in early December.

As I have outlined previously on this matter, I am conscious of the deeply harmful effects which the behaviours and actions referred to can have on those affected. I intend to support the passage of the amended bill through the houses of the Oireachtas to help strengthen legislation in this area.