Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister confirm he is a member of the committee to which he referred? Does he agree a statutory rape law fulfils a vital role in the scheme of criminal law relating to sexual offences against children, as stated by the DPP? Does he acknowledge that the task of prosecuting in such cases in the absence of a statutory rape law is immensely more difficult? Will the Minister confirm that a referendum remains not an option to reintroduce absolute liability to protect children but Government policy that such a referendum will be held?

Will he acknowledge that the committee to which he referred can make absolutely no progress until all parties to it, including those in government, bring their suggestions and proposals to it as to the substantive legislation that should accompany any such referendum? Will he explain why almost two years since publication of the all-party committee report on child protection, which recommended that such legislation be prepared in draft form as a prerequisite to a referendum, the Government has been completely incapable of producing to the committee proposals of a substantive nature to enable it to make progress?

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