Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2016 has been passed by the Seanad and is on Committee Stage in this House. It will be taken next week by the justice committee. Everything depends on how much time is needed by the committee. Potentially the Bill could be passed by the end of the year but that depends entirely on the work of the committee. I am pleased it is at this point.

I refer to the issue of the app being used for grooming. Grooming is dealt with in the Bill in an innovate way that is necessary. Grooming and the different stages of grooming are defined and the Deputy's example of the Yellow app will fall under that. It is important legislation.

The victims of crime legislation is close to finalisation and I hope to circulate it to Cabinet in the next few weeks before the end of the year.

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