Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 3, to delete lines 18 to 20 and substitute the following:

"the victim,

(c) any person who is, for the time being, responsible for the education, supervision or welfare of the victim;

(d) any person who is more than 60 months older than the victim;".

I am concerned about a number of issues in regard to a person in authority. I am also concerned about the issue raised by my colleague, Deputy Stanton, of an uncle not including an uncle-in-law. I am mindful of a case in 2001 involving a garda where the child was a niece of the wife. I am further concerned about the recommendation of the Law Reform Commission not being included in regard to a person of authority. That was the provision relating to the five-year gap. I suggest a re-formulation that, I hope, will cover these various concerns and strengthen the Bill.

See this speech in context