Spiking Bill cannot be left sitting on a desk, says Doherty

Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty and Barry Ward TD say they’ve called on the Minister for Justice to urgently progress the Spiking Bill they first brought forward with their Fine Gael colleagues in 2023, warning that the legislation is already drafted, has passed the Seanad and cannot be allowed to sit on a desk any longer.

The call follows new figures showing 339 alleged incidents of spiking were reported to Gardaí between 2021 and 2025.

Ms Doherty said: “The latest figures on spiking in Ireland are shocking. One reported incident every six days is one too many, and we know the true number is likely to be considerably higher.

“We brought forward this legislation in May 2023 because we believed spiking needed to be explicitly recognised in Irish law.

“We drafted the Bill, did the work and got it through every stage of the Seanad by October 2023.

“Three years later, it cannot be allowed to sit on a desk while spiking continues to damage lives. It is before the Dáil and it is time to get it on the agenda.

“The Programme for Government commits to stronger laws to combat spiking. We have the commitment. We have the legislation.

“Now we need the urgency from the Minister for Justice to get it passed.

“The work of Spiking Ireland and Safe Gigs Ireland in keeping pressure on Government and giving a voice to victims has been hugely important.

“They should not have to keep asking for action when a solution is already sitting in front of us.

“The Bill is written. It is ready. Let’s get it through the Dáil and into law.”

Fine Gael TD Barry Ward, who worked with Ms Doherty to progress the legislation through the Seanad, said:

“Spiking is a sinister and dangerous act and our law should explicitly recognise it as such.

“We did the work in the Seanad and secured strong support for this legislation.

“It is now time to finish the job. The Bill is before the Dáil and should be progressed without further delay.”