Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that this Government is deeply committed to addressing child sexual abuse. It is imperative that the legislation around these offences protects the most vulnerable members of society from serious harm and legislation is consistently being reviewed in this area to ensure that our laws offer the best protections for citizens.

The Government last year enacted the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, a wide-ranging piece of legislation which significantly enhanced laws to combat the sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.  Among the provisions of the 2017 Act are measures to significantly strengthen the existing criminal law in combating child exploitation and, in particular, address the use of modern communication technologies as a tool, which may lead to child sexual exploitation. Specific offences have been provided for to target the recognised steps in what is often a gradual process of grooming a victim.

Convicted sex offenders are subject to monitoring and supervision in the community through the Garda Síochána and the Probation Service. The Sex Offenders Act 2001 provides for the monitoring of convicted sex offenders in the community. Under the 2001 Act a person who has been convicted of a sexual offence must notify the Garda Síochána of their name and address within seven days. The 2001 Act also provides for sex offenders orders where the court can prohibit a convicted sex offender from doing things with a view to protecting the public from harm. I intend to bring to Government shortly a Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill which will strengthen the monitoring of sex offenders in the community, including reducing the notification period from seven to three days.

In addition, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2018, which completed Second Stage debate in this House just last week, will provide for presumptive minimum sentencing for repeat sex offenders. 

The Government is committed to ensuring an adequate and robust legislative basis to ensure sexual offences are dealt with appropriately and that the public are protected from harm.