Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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482. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in the publication of the criminal justice (sexual offences) Bill; when the Bill will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29162/15]

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 and one which requires detailed consideration of a number of policy, legal and constitutional issues.

The Bill is priority legislation and is currently being drafted, and will be published shortly.