We are really talking about the ugly reality of human behaviour when we start sharing stories of individual harassment. I know there is probably not a person in the Chamber who has not experienced it. I am really sorry to hear of the length of harassment that Senator Ruane is going through and I really wish her success, if not with the current legislation which is abysmal, but with this new legislation. I hope she can bring it to fruition with a happy outcome for her. Nobody in the House, our local Government colle…

Now.

When I looked around the Chamber earlier, I thought that I was outnumbered by legal experts and barristers and I probably still am so I bow to some of the eloquent language used by my learned colleagues. Using normal language, I fully support amendment No. 1 and I do not believe that means I am saying the Bill is flawed. I do not think the Bill is flawed at all but Bills can be enhanced. The one part of the Bill I have a little bit of a difficulty with, and it is not a criticism, is that I think a three-year review…

The claim of Russian hackers has been used a few times.

I agree with Senator Ward. Whether someone intends to cause hurt, mild or egregious, to someone else is irrelevant, because it is not necessarily the intent but the outcome that matters. If a person is hurt, then he or she is hurt. I like the idea, therefore, of being able to be in the position of someone else judging whether a person's act is reasonable or not. On too many occasions, which we see this frequently in the world of politics, we get apologies after the fact from someone stating that he or she did not i…

What is it called?

I appreciate the amendment is being withdrawn but I have a query for the Minister of State. He said the reason the Department was not minded to include it is because the sharing of private information might be in the common good. I do not know how that can be a good thing. Every single one of us is entitled to our privacy. The information that I have at home, for instance, bank accounts, is my private business. Sharing it is not in anyone's interest or common good; it is my private business. Particularly in the con…

I am sorry to be picky but I understand from the Minister of State's response is that it is not appropriate to this section of this Bill because we did not define "private". But it probably is appropriate to this section of this Bill. If all that was wrong was a definition of "private", that could have been easily fixed or it could easily be stated now that if we bring back a definition of "private" in the context of something that is entirely different - say, me giving my information to SIPO with consent for it to…

I again find myself agreeing with my colleague. The irony is probably not lost on anyone that the Bill, which we will all call Coco's Law, is about harmful and harassing communications but the section on harassment has been removed. I am sure others will be able to attest to their own experiences, but this is disappointing personally. I spent two years being harassed daily, if not multiple times daily, by a lady who is a very large supporter of a political party and subsequently went on to be an elected representat…

It is a real pity, given this legislation was drafted and first presented three years ago, that we are now updating a whole section on harassment, which is absolutely pertinent and should be done now, by changing a law that is 23 years old and that we all know does not actually do what it says on the tin. That is an enormous pity and is a huge missed opportunity, particularly given the Law Reform Commission and Deputy Brendan Howlin practically wrote the sections we so desperately need. The section which, in the op…

We will suspend the House for 15 minutes.

I am showing my ignorance but can the Minister of State explain that to me in English? Did I read it the wrong way around? I read it as saying that we are taking out "communicating with or about him or her" and putting in "communicating with him or her". It is the other way around. I thank the Minister of State. That is good to know.

Will the Minister of State explain to me what the legislation means by the words "anytime within two years from the date on which the offence was committed"? On the face of it, I agree with amendment No. 21, if my understanding is that the date the offence was committed is the date that someone sold an image to Pornhub rather than the date I found out my image was on Pornhub. In the view of the Minister of State and the Department, is the law based on when is the date the offence was committed? It is easy for us to…

I believe all Members have been contacted by Safe Ireland, which expressed disappointment that the section was removed yesterday. This year has been unprecedented in so many ways, but particularly for the victims of domestic violence. The Garda, Safe Ireland and other agencies have done a sterling job, as has the Government in the context of tweaking schemes to ensure that we try to look after people. The Department of Justice has also had ongoing campaigns. We have stepped up to try to ensure that not only are the…

Does one know then, if it is up to the court to interpret whether the offence against me is serious, whether it might be a different level of seriousness as for Senator Ruane? Is there a definition of serious or is it that each case is taken on its merits and that the people who happen to receive the information on a Monday determine what serious is on a Monday while different sets of people, or judges, might interpret it differently in a different case on a Thursday?

To wait three years before a review would be done is far too long.

Now.

Now.

At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 19 January 2021 in the Seanad Chamber.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Seanad to discuss this issue. I compliment her on the work she has done in recent months. It is truly refreshing to see the proactivity and the new approach that is being taken in the Department with regard to specials needs. I wish her every success. I know the Seanad will continue to support her. I wish to raise the issue of the urgent need for provision of a permanent school building for St. Michael's House Special National School in Skerries, north County Dublin. …