FG urges second child protection referendum
That is according to Fine Gael justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe speaking after the Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection met for the first time after the completion of an 88-page draft report last night.
“The committee has taken a view that the defence of mistake of age should not be available where the sexual activity takes place with a child below a certain age,” said Deputy O’Keeffe.
“It is also suggested that the defence should not be available at all to those who occupy positions of authority, such as sports coaches.”
He said a separate referendum would be needed to focus adequately on protecting the child from the mistake as to age defence of offenders and the committee does not want that process delayed.
“Once decisions are made, we would not want any hold-ups,” he said.
The minimum age of sexual consent was one of the topics which divided members of the all-party committee last night.
According to Mr O’Keeffe, there was a “healthy and respectful” exchange of views on whether the minimum age of consent should be put at 16 or 17 years of age.
The recommendation which has been pushed for by Mr O’Keeffe and his party is 17 especially as that is the age of consent in Northern Ireland.
However, he said no final decision was made on the subject and it will be among a number of things considered when the committee meets again next week.
The 88-page draft report was prepared by Shane Murphy SC and Sean Guerin BL, legal advisors to the committee, following 50 written submissions to the committee and oral presentations by groups including the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Children’s Ombudsman and representatives of the garda commissioner.
Mr O’Keefe said he expects the committee to accept the draft report after a meeting next Wednesday.
The committee must give its final report to the Dáil by the end of the month.
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