Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences (Amendment) Bill 2026

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The proposed changes would strengthen Ireland’s rules on harmful online behaviour by banning the creation of intimate or other harmful images without a person’s consent. It would also increase the penalties for certain harassment and harmful communication offences and give people more time to start summary court proceedings for these offences. The aim is to better protect people from image-based abuse and make it easier to bring cases before the courts.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2020 to prohibit the creation of non-consensual intimate or harmful imagery; and to increase the timeframe under which summary proceedings for an offence may be instituted.

Last updated 24 February 2026