139. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the measures currently in place for the prosecution of those found guilty of sustained domestic abuse, coercive control or harassment which contributes to the victim taking their own life; his plans to strengthen legislation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51925/26]

I can assure the Deputy that there is a comprehensive legislative framework in place to investigate and prosecute offences arising from domestic abuse, coercive control, and harassment.

The Domestic Violence Act 2018 was a significant step forward in strengthening the law in this area. Among other measures, it introduced the offence of coercive control and provides that, where appropriate, the courts should treat the intimate relationship between an offender and a victim as an aggravating factor in sentencing.

The law has been strengthened further through the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023, which contains several important provisions in relation to stalking and harassment. These include:

A new stalking offence, defined in terms of causing either a fear of violence or serious alarm and distress that has a substantial impact on a person’s day-to-day activities.

The existing harassment offence in section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 has been widened to include any persistent conduct that seriously interferes with a person’s peace and privacy or causes alarm, distress, or harm.

The introduction of a new system of civil orders designed to prevent stalking and protect victims.

I am also progressing the Domestic Violence (Judgments) Register Bill 2026, which will set up a Register of Judgments, ensuring that relevant convictions for serious domestic violence offences are made public as part of the conviction process.

I would like to assure the Deputy that all legislation is this area is kept under review to ensure that it remains effective and that any further changes needed to protect victims and hold perpetrators to account are considered.