WUNRN
Ireland – Cabinet Approves Law to Criminalise Purchase of Sex
Irish Government to make purchase of sex illegal, without criminalising sellers
Criminalisation of purchase of sex on Tuesday’s Cabinet agenda. Photograph:
Alan Betson/The Irish Times
By Mary Minihan
- Nov 25,
2014
The
Irish Cabinet today agreed to proceed with legislation to criminalise the
purchase of sex.
The
new sexual offences legislation will also strengthen laws on grooming, child
pornography and harassment.
The
Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill is due to be published later this week.
On
the age of consent issue, Minister for Justice Frances
Fitzgerald abandoned moves by her predecessor Alan Shatter to lower
the age of sexual consent from 17 to 16.
Ms
Fitzgerald brought a memo to Cabinet on the issue seeking approval to prepare
legislation to criminalise the purchase of sexual services without
criminalising the sellers of the services on Tuesday.
Her
aim is to put the burden of the legal system on those who avail of
prostitution.
The
detailed legislation, containing 70 sections, will include measures to broaden
the definitions of some sexual offences and strengthen measures so that
offences will be easier to prosecute.
The
Oireachtas justice committee has previously recommended that the purchase of
sex be criminalised.
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