The age of consent debate: Where does Ireland stand?

Ireland has one of the highest ages of consent in the EU. And until recently, Vatican City had the lowest, reports Peter O’Dwyer.

VATICAN City is a curious place. The walled Roman enclave is, of course, home to his Holiness but peculiarly, it is also home of the world’s highest per capita crime rate.

There is a straightforward explanation for this, however, given that fewer than 850 people live in the city. Thousands of tourists visit every year and pickpocketing is rampant. Another oddity that existed until last year is a little harder to explain, though — the exceptionally low age of consent for sexual activity in the State. In July of last year, Pope Francis raised the age of consent to 18 — the joint highest in Europe. Prior to his intervention it stood at just 12.