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

I did not have an opportunity to table amendments and I will, therefore, make any points I wish to make in respect of the various sections.

Will the Minister indicate when the act of solicitation or importuning actually occurs? At what stage does an offence arise? What requirements must be met in the context of proof in order to bring a charge — such a charge will now be indictable — of soliciting or importuning? Will the Minister clarify what is involved? I was somewhat alarmed by Deputy Howlin's comment that this type of charge has apparently fallen into disuse and that where such charges were brought in the past, they are no longer brought. Is there a difficulty from the point of view of proof or otherwise?

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