Frances Fitzgerald seeks new legislation to tackle online abuse to protect children

Tánaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald wants to see new legislation to protect children from online abuse in place by the end of the year.

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, which would close a number of loopholes exposing children to online abuses, will be debated in the Dáil this week.

Ms Fitzgerald said the proposed legislation would create a number of offences that would carry prison sentences of between 10 and 15 years.