Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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204. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status the sex-for-rent legislation; if she will ensure that it is included in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27704/24]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that this Government is deeply committed to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in all its forms.

The prioritisation of this hugely important work is evident in the policy and legislative developments implemented by this Government and those that are currently being progressed.

Let me be quite clear that any behaviour from accommodation providers seeking to use their position to prey on vulnerable people is completely unacceptable. It is an appalling abuse of power by unscrupulous individuals and it will not be tolerated by this Government.

I plan to address this abhorrent and exploitative behaviour by making the offering or advertising of accommodation for sex in lieu of rent a criminal offence.

This is an issue that was examined by the Oireachtas Justice Committee in the context of a Private Members Bill and the Committee itself recognised that it is a complex issue to address and one which requires careful legal and constitutional consideration.

Officials from my Department have been working closely with the Office of the Attorney General to ensure that legislating to address this issue does not create any unintended consequences, including by inadvertently criminalising consensual relationships.

I regret that it has not been possible to finalise the drafting of legal provisions to criminalise this behaviour in time to be taken forward in the current legislative session. However, the measures will be progressed in a suitable legislative vehicle once finalised.