Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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42. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to promote and enact the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12322/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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On 23 September 2015, I published the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015, as approved by Government. The Bill includes wide ranging provisions to enhance the protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation including through more effective targeting of acts of child sexual grooming. When enacted, the Bill will facilitate full compliance with the criminal law provisions of a number of international legal instruments and implement the recommendations of a number of Oireachtas committees. The Bill also provides for new offences of purchasing sexual services, in the context of prostitution. The purpose of these offences is to target the demand for prostitution.

The Bill completed all stages in Seanad Éireann in January 2016. Subject to approval by a motion of Dáil Éireann, I expect this Bill to be returned to the Dáil Order Paper. Enactment of this important piece of legislation is a priority for the Government.