Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

There are also provisions under section 2 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act which deal with any information being used on the Internet in respect of implying a child is available to be used for the purpose of sexual exploitation within the meaning of section 3, irrespective of how or through what medium the representation, description or information has been produced, transmitted or conveyed. The 1998 Act also covers the sharing of information indicating or implying a child is available to be used for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The sexual exploitation of children is an offence under section 3 of the Act. Section 5 also deals with the distribution of child pornography.

Regarding the question of whether one particular offence has been repealed by the legislation which this House passed last year, I am not in a position to answer the Deputy at this point.

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