New laws to make stalking a criminal offence - McEntee
New laws to include stalking as a specific criminal offence will be published before Easter, the Minister for Justice has told the Dáil.
Helen McEntee was addressing the chamber in a debate on gender-based violence, something she said will take a "long and difficult path" to change.
Ms McEntee said new laws will explicitly reference stalking as a criminal offence, will make it clear that stalking includes watching or following a victim, even where the victim is not aware of it, and making sure it covers all forms of modern communication.
Minister McEntee said: "I cannot stand here today and say 'Never Again'. I cannot say that no woman will suffer at the hands of a man tonight. None of us can. What we can do is commit to Ashling, to so many other women, and to each other that we will dedicate ourselves to the long and difficult path of change."
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In his address, the Taoiseach said a "sea change" is needed in culture and attitudes in society to eradicate violence against women.
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Mr Martin committed to a zero-tolerance approach saying it will require all of society to commit to lasting change.
He said the killing of Ashling Murphy last week has "left the entire country devastated and given rise to legitimate questions about whether we are doing enough to prevent violence against women."
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Education awareness will form part of a new Government strategy, which will be published in March, he added.