Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a fair question and I somewhat share the Deputy's frustration. I have voiced similar frustration, as have my colleagues. In July 2020, departmental officials contracted an independent expert to undertake the review of Part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act. Significant work was completed cataloguing the submissions received under the Part 4 review, which, as the Deputy said, was a requirement. The study lead was also asked to take over another review we discussed a while ago, the familicide review, after the untimely death of Norah Gibbons who had been leading that review. As a result, the timeline for completing the Part 4 review was delayed. The familicide review has now been completed and that final report has been submitted. Therefore, the study lead has now been able to turn her attention back to completing the Part 4 review. While the review is independent of the Department, I have been assured that she expects to be in a position to present the outcome of the review very shortly. I accept that the Deputy would like to know what "very shortly" means. I can assure her that as soon as I have absolute clarity on that, I will be very happy to share it with her. I have also instructed my officials to provide additional support to the study lead if needed to assist with the finalisation of the report, while, of course, respecting fully the independence of the review and the autonomy of the study lead. I have been in contact with the study lead on the work and have been assured that it is nearing completion. I have met them directly on this matter.

The Deputy is aware that the key purpose of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 is to provide additional protections to persons involved in prostitution, especially vulnerable persons and victims of human trafficking. The Act allows those engaged in prostitution to provide information to An Garda if they, for instance, are subjected to violence by clients, without fear of prosecution for selling sexual services. Section 27 provides for the review to which the Deputy's question refers. As already stated, my Department commissioned an independent consultant to undertake the statutory review. I assure the Deputy, and I say this categorically, that I am very anxious to receive the report in order that consideration can be given to advancing any recommendations needed to further strengthen the protection for persons who engage in sexual activity for payment.

See this speech in context