Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I ask the Tánaiste about the Government's programme of legislation for the protection of children. The programme for Government makes several commitments in this regard, including a constitutional amendment to protect the rights of children, legislation which would make it possible for those who take sexual advantage of children to claim a defence of mistake regarding the age of their victims and on the carefully regulated exchange of information about child abusers. Thus far we have seen none of these commitments. The Tánaiste adverted to the legislation on exchange of information as being in the spring schedule but it does not even appear to have been drafted. I would like her to indicate whether she has a clear schedule of legislation in respect of the defence of honest mistake, which deals with the striking down by the courts of the law on statutory rape, the new amendment on children's rights and the exchange of information. Can we be given firm dates regarding their introduction to the House for debate?

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