Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

It is important that we look at the whole of section 3 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. It reads:

(1) Any person who organises or knowingly facilitates—

(a) the entry into, transit through or exit from the State of a child for the purpose of his or her sexual exploitation, or

(b) the provision of accommodation for a child for such a purpose while in the State,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life.

(2) Any person who—

(a) takes, detains, or restricts the personal liberty of a child for the purpose of his or her sexual exploitation. . .

Sexual exploitation is given the particular meaning with we are dealing. It is not as broad as one might think. It criminalises somebody who takes, detains or restricts the personal liberty of a child for the purpose of his or her exploitation. Exploitation now includes——

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