Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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187. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19671/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The General Scheme of a Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2018 was approved by the Government on 6 March 2018. The General Scheme has been published on my Department's website. The Bill has now been referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting. The General Scheme has also been referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny. 

When drafted, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2018 will provide for sentencing for repeat sex offenders. The Bill will take on board proposals made in the Criminal Justice (Commission of Sexual Offences)(Amendment) Bill 2017 which was brought forward by Minister Kevin Boxer Moran while a Private Member. In July 2017 the Government agreed to develop its own Bill based on the provisions of Minister Moran's Bill. The Bill will also contain sentencing provisions for the offence of incest.