Yesterday, I spoke about the need to implement urgent ethical reform to counteract the sowing of distrust in politics by agents of the far right. It is also vitally important that we provide wraparound supports for those who stand for election. In the last number of weeks we have seen multiple instances of intimidation and violence against Deputies, Senators and councillors. Jennifer Bray’s startling article in The Irish Times showed the gendered nature of that intimidation. We have heard the harrowing experiences of many colleagues in this House, some of whom are present today, and elsewhere who have had similar experiences. We know others are not prepared to speak publicly. Most members of my party, and those across other parties, have been targeted in recent weeks and years. The Government owes it to representatives today and potential future candidates to act on this. What plans does the Government have to ensure not just that we crack down on intimidating behaviour towards public representatives but also that we ensure supports are available to public representatives?

You are out of time.

Will it establish a dedicated and resourced office in Leinster House to provide support to public representatives at local and national level who are subject to intimidation?

I agree with the Deputy. The matter is very serious. There were further revelations this morning about Deputies in the House, in particular Deputy Cairns. This behaviour is becoming more frequent. The Ceann Comhairle has endeavoured to raise this issue in terms of a fund and so on. I will speak to my Government colleagues in respect of this in terms of wraparound supports. I understand there is a desire to create a security fund which would assist Members in taking precautionary measures. That would at least give some protections to Members who may be coming under attack or potential assault. There has been ongoing liaison with the Garda. I know the Minister, Deputy Harris, has had discussions with the Garda Commissioner in respect of this. Perhaps, collectively, we should form an informal group in the House-----

Cross-party.

-----on a cross-party basis to work up a comprehensive approach to this issue. I am venturing this as an idea. I am as guilty as anyone else who has been here in that I have absorbed a lot, but things have reached a new level. Collectively, we need to come to grips with this issue in a comprehensive way.

A detailed and comprehensive plan has been submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to deal with these matters.