Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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359. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the criminal law (sexual offences) Bill 2014 which is to legislate for the criminalisation of the purchase of sexual services; the likely timing of any enactment of this legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24681/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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On 27 November, I published the General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill. The Bill will provide for new offences of purchasing, in the context of prostitution, sexual services. It also includes wide ranging provisions to enhance the protection of children and vulnerable persons from sexual abuse and exploitation. When enacted, the Bill will facilitate full compliance with the criminal law provisions of a number of EU, UN and Council of Europe legal instruments as well as implementing the recommendations of a number of Oireachtas committees.

As the Deputy will appreciate, this is a complex piece of legislation addressing a number of sensitive issues. The Bill is priority legislation and is currently being drafted, with a view to publication in this parliamentary session.