Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1044. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017 will be reintroduced to make image-based sexual abuse and revenge porn criminal offences. [20145/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to taking action to tackle the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.

I am conscious of the deeply harmful effects which behaviours and actions such as those referred to can have on those affected.

A Private Members Bill sponsored by Deputy Brendan Howlin , the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017, provided for many of the legislative changes recommended by the Law Reform Commission in its report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety.  

My officials are continuing to work with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to finalise amendments, which I hope to bring to Government for approval in September.  I understand that it will be a matter for Deputy Howlin to have the Private Members Bill formally reinstated on the Dáil Order Paper.