Dail Passes New Legislation To Close Child Sex Loophole

The Dail has passed new emergency legislation to close a legal loophole that meant it was not an offence to solicit a child for sex. The offence was inadvertendly removed from the statute books because of previous emergency legislation introduced after last year’s Supreme Court ruling on underage sex.

The Tanaiste and Justice Minister, Michael McDowell, introduced new laws in the Dail last night to address the situation and to also introduce a new offence outlawing the sexual “grooming” of children.

Opposition parties supported the moves, but expressed concerns about possible problems that could arise in the future due to the rushed nature of the legislation.

The amendments will now go before the Seanad later today before being sent to the President to be signed into law.