Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce legislation to criminalise the grooming of children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56781/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Under section 3 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 (as inserted by section 6 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Act 2007), any person who intentionally meets, or travels with the intention of meeting, a child, having met or communicated with that child on two or more previous occasions and does so for the purpose of sexual exploitation of the child, is guilty of an offence. The definition of sexual exploitation in this context is very broad. It means:

(a) inviting, inducing or coercing the child to engage in prostitution or the production of child pornography;

(b) using the child for such purposes;

(c) inviting, inducing or coercing a child to participate in any sexual activity which is an offence under any enactment;

(d) the commission of any such offence against the child; or

(e) inviting, inducing or coercing the child to participate in or observe any activity of a sexual or indecent nature.

My Department has been conducting a wide-ranging examination of the law on sexual offences. Arising from this review, legislative proposals to enhance the protection of children against sexual abuse and exploitation, including grooming, are at an advanced stage of preparation. The review is close to completion and I expect to bring legislative proposals to Government shortly.