I second the amendment.

I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, line 29, after “subsection (4)” to insert “and (4A)” Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 relate to the safety of victims. As we know, for this register to go ahead the victim must give their consent. We want to make sure the victims are safeguarded when giving consent. While they may have endured years of violence, coercive control or whatever the offence was and while the person has been convicted of that crime and hopefully will be serving a sentence, it does not mean that the control, inti…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 4, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(4A) For the purposes of subsection (2)(d), the court shall be satisfied that— (a) the consent of the victim is freely and voluntarily given, (b) the victim has been provided with sufficient information and access to appropriate supports, including from specialist domestic violence services, to enable informed and safe decision-making, and (c) such consent may be withdrawn at any time prior to the inclusion of the judgment in the Re…

I move amendment No. 6: In page 4, line 33, to delete “3 years” and substitute “5 years”. The proposals in amendments Nos. 6, 7 and 8 are to delete three years and substitute it with five years on lines 33 and 37 on page 4 and line 3 on page 5. They are also to include that the court: may, in making an order under subsection (2), specify that a longer period shall apply before an application for removal may be made, having regard to— (a) the nature and seriousness of the offence, and (b) the need to protect the saf…

I am disappointed that the Minister will not accept five years. I understand absolutely that when someone goes on the register, they are on it until they apply to come off it. I cannot imagine that any person will not apply to come off it once the three-year period is up. I do not know why anybody would want to remain on it. It is a good idea to have the register, and I support it. I think it acts as a deterrent to people to perpetrate violence, mainly against women. I imagine that people will not want to stay on t…

I move amendment No. 7: In page 4, line 37, to delete "3 years" and substitute "5 years".

I move amendment No. 8: In page 5, line 3, to delete "3 years" and substitute "5 years".

I move amendment No. 9: In page 5, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: "(9A) Notwithstanding subsection (9), the court may, in making an order under subsection (2), specify that a longer period shall apply before an application for removal may be made, having regard to— (a) the nature and seriousness of the offence, and (b) the need to protect the safety and wellbeing of the victim and, where relevant, any children or dependents.".

I move amendment No. 11: In page 5, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “(ai) section 2, where the offence is committed against a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant or person in an intimate relationship;”. The register is currently limited to indictable offences, including that of coercive control, and that is welcome. However, many cases of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence are also reflected across certain summary proceedings. For instance, while domestic violence orders originate in family …

I move amendment No. 12: In page 5, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “(ha) an offence under section 33 of the Domestic Violence Act 2018;”

I move amendment No. 13: In page 5, line 31, after “2” to insert “or section 3”.

I move amendment No. 14: In page 6, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “(14) The Courts Service shall ensure that, when the Register is made available to the public— (a) a statement is included to the effect that the absence of a person’s name from the Register does not indicate that such person does not pose a risk or has not previously engaged in domestic violence or abuse, and (b) information is provided directing users to appropriate support services, including national and local domestic violence…

I move amendment No. 15: In page 6, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: "(14) In deciding whether to make an order under subsection (2), the court shall have regard to— (a) the safety and wellbeing of the victim, including any risk of intimidation, retaliation or further harm, and (b) the safety and welfare of any children or dependents connected to the victim or the convicted person.".". The publication of a judgment may in some cases increase risk to victims, particularly in situations involving chil…

I welcome this legislation. It is very important. I acknowledge Jason Poole and his family for their advocacy. They have gone through a terrible, traumatic event in their lives, as have so many other families. Unfortunately, the statistics this week show that the problem is still systemic. It is widespread. The more legislation that can be drafted and passed to address the issues of domestic violence, the better. I commend the Minister on bringing forward the Bill so quickly. We will all work together to try and ge…

Ní raibh mé anseo inné. Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Seanadóir Ahearn as a bheith ceaptha ina Cheannaire ar an Seanad. I want to raise the issue of dental services. My colleagues in the Dáil had a motion on this yesterday and discussed it in detail. I welcome the fact that the Government did not oppose it. Senator Ryan has raised the matter today as well. However, there needs to be more done than just not opposing a motion. There needs to be actual planning and investment in services. We have 11,000 people on wait…

I also welcome this Bill. It is important legislation that will see the partner of a person who murders, kills or seriously injures another parent of his or her child either lose or have his or her guardianship rights restricted, which is absolutely called for. I acknowledge David French for his advocacy on this issue and welcome him and his sister, Veronica, into the Chamber today. There are so many cases like Valerie's where children have been bereaved. He is right; it is abuse of children. I am concerned about t…

Tá géarchéim tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht atá ag déanamh damáiste don phobal teanga. Níl teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht in ann teach a aimsiú le ceannach nó a dteach féin a thógáil. Is é sprioc an Bhille seo ná daonlathas a thabhairt ar ais in Údarás na Gaeltachta agus a chinntiú gur féidir leis an údarás tabhairt faoi na fadhbanna atá ag cur isteach ar mhuintir na Gaeltachta. Is mór an trua é nár éist an Rialtas le Sinn Féin sa Dáil maidir le bord iomlán tofa a bheith ann. Is mór an trua é freisin nár ghlac an Rialtas le le…

Tá mé buartha faoi roinnt rudaí sa Bhille seo a bhí curtha isteach sa phlé sa Dáil. D'úsáid an Rialtas gilitín chun stop a chur le plé ar leasuithe móra ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus Acht na Gaeltachta, nach raibh pléite sa choiste. Ní hionann na leasuithe seo le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta. Tá an Rialtas ag athrú rialacha maidir le fógraíocht, ballraíocht an choiste chomhairligh agus maidir leis an sprioc earcaíochta 20%. Má tá fógraí ar líne atá dírithe ar an domhan iomlán, an mbeidh na rialacha faoi úsáid na Ga…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 6, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: " Review of rates of pay and conditions of home care workers 4. (1) The Minister shall, not later than 6 months after the commencement of this Act, carry out a review of the rates of pay and conditions of home care workers in the public, not-for-profit, and private sectors, which should also examine career structures, rostering practices, mileage costs, and recruitment challenges. (2) As soon as practicable after the completion of th…

On Saturday last in Cavan, the first Pride march was held in the county town. I congratulate those who organised it and took part. It was a very colourful and vibrant celebration of people from the LGBT+ community. I put up an ad online beforehand wishing it well. The commentary on that ad was absolutely vile. Laura, in my office, turned off the comments. It is absolutely outrageous what people feel they can say to others online. After the parade, I attended Cavan's Africa Day. Nationally, Africa Day was celebrated…