Andrews favours reducing age of consent

The Minister for Children Barry Andrews says he favours reducing the age of consent for sex.

A Law Reform Commission report has recommended access to contraception for 16- and 17-year-olds.

It is currently illegal for those under 17 to have sex.

In a consultation paper, the commission also proposes that 16- and 17-year-olds should be able to consent to and refuse medical treatment subject to certain conditions.

Minister Andrews has welcomed the report and said our laws on teenage sex needed to be updated.