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

I am very pleased to present this Bill to the House.

This Bill is the most comprehensive and wide ranging piece of sexual offences legislation to be introduced in almost a decade. It strengthens existing law to combat child pornography, the sexual grooming of children, incest, exposure and other offensive conduct of a sexual nature. Not only will the provisions in this Bill target those who target children, there is also recognition of the needs of victims of sexual offences and those who assist them. In this respect, I am particularly pleased that provisions are included in this Bill which, when enacted, will regulate and bring certainty to the disclosure of counselling and therapy records in sexual offence trials. In addition, amendments to criminal evidence legislation acknowledge the difficult experience which a trial process may be for the victim of a sexual offence.

Other measures include the introduction of harassment orders prohibiting convicted offenders from contact with their victim. Finally, and an issue which has already been the subject of considerable debate, the Bill will criminalise those who purchase sexual services.

All of the provisions in the Bill, which I will outline in more detail, are the culmination of a long process and wide consultation.