Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Members who spoke in support of the Bill, in particular the Opposition Members, Deputies Niall Collins and McLellan. I also acknowledge my colleague, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, for her contribution. The Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality would have spoken on the Bill today but, unfortunately, it clashes with a meeting of the select committee.

At long last we, as a society, are waking up to the type of criminal out there. These people can be in their own homes or on the Internet in another country and they are willing to prey on our children, objectify them and use them for their own gratification. We need to recognise this is happening and make every effort possible to protect our children and future children in our society.

I was delighted to hear the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, say that the Minister for Justice and Equality is accepting the Bill and that the Government is not opposing it. I look forward to the provisions of the Bill appearing in the criminal law (sexual offences) Bill. The specific actions and behaviours that constitute grooming are changing from decade to decade or even from year to year.

I again thank Members for their contributions and I look forward to the Bill moving to the next Stage in its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

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