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

I considered the part of the United Kingdom Act that formed the basis for the Fine Gael Bill to be fairly clear and explicit and that it almost could be adopted as it stood in its entirety. As mentioned earlier, I am prepared to take on board the technical changes suggested by the Tánaiste.

However, I am unsure whether this section of the United Kingdom Act translates readily into Irish law. Were the Tánaiste and his officials happy with it, I would be inclined to go along with it. I considered that the question of grooming, which involves communication with and subsequent travelling to meet the child, is clear and explicit and could be dealt with. However, I am unsure whether the manner in which it is proposed to transpose this section of the United Kingdom legislation is clear and explicit. As it stands, it probably requires further teasing out before being translated into Irish law.

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