Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 5, paragraph (a), between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following:

"(1A) (a) A person commits an offence if—

(i) he or she intentionally arranges or facilitates something that he intends to do, intends another person to do, or believes that another person will do, in any part of the world, and

(ii) doing it will involve the commission of an offence under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006.

(b) A person guilty of an offence under this subsection is liable—

(i) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding €5000 or both,

(ii) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years.".

In essence, the Tánaiste has replicated part of a Bill tabled by the Fine Gael Party in respect of grooming. I understand it mirrors section 15 of the United Kingdom enactment. I suggest the inclusion of section 14 of the United Kingdom Act in the legislation before the House because it deals with the issue of grooming itself. In the United Kingdom Act, sections 14 and 15 complement each other and go together. However, only section 15, which pertains to travelling, is to be put into Irish law. Is there a reason section 14 of the United Kingdom Act, which deals specifically with the grooming element, should not also be mirrored in Irish legislation?

Deputy Jim O'Keeffe was the original proposer of this Bill and the same path has been followed by the Tánaiste. Is there a reason this provision was not included? Would accepting my suggested amendment not strengthen the provision? I acknowledge it has been lifted from the United Kingdom provision. Sections 14 and 15 of the United Kingdom Act appear to be both complementary and necessary.

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