Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader agree that both Houses have an immediate obligation to respond to yesterday's Supreme Court ruling on statutory rape? Will she find out, for the information of the House, what is the Government's intention on proposed legislation to respond to the unanimous view of the court concerning this issue? Once again, in my mind, the Oireachtas has been caught napping on an issue which was flagged as far back as the 1990s when it came from a specific recommendation of the Law Reform Commission.

An horrific situation has developed. This ruling has implications for persons convicted of statutory rape or who have yet to stand trial for that offence. More important, it has significant implications for persons who are now on the register of sex offenders and could be removed as a result of the ruling. It is urgent.

Will the Leader ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to make a statement in this House and tell us what is the Government's intention on legislation? Will the Leader and the Minister respond to the fact that this not only involves young women in an abusive or predatory relationship with older men? It also involves young men who could be abused by older women. I had a brief opportunity to examine the 1935 legislation. It only refers to young girls under the age of 15. It is utterly wrong in this day and age, when young men can be abused, that they should be excluded from the law. This brings into focus the issue of the age of consent. We must debate this and introduce legislation to address these loopholes. The Government, which has known about this since 1990, has the ultimate responsibility to respond urgently.