Seanad debates

Wednesday, 7 March 2007

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage

 

11:00 am

Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

The alternative is our having to introduce emergency legislation overnight. I will not go back over all that, since what is done is done. I appreciate what we now have. We are all human, and I hope that the legislation is watertight. I also welcome the provision regarding Internet grooming and appreciate the fact that the Government has taken on board Fine Gael proposals. My only question is, if this was published three years ago, why was it not dealt with sooner? However, we have it now, and I welcome that.

We live in changed times, and our children are now reared with more numerous and varied problems than we had when we were growing up. With the Internet, a whole new world is opened up to them and they can be at risk. It is up to us to ensure we protect them in every possible way. I will delay no longer the passage of this welcome Bill.

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