Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 1

Written Answers - Age of Consent.

Ivor Callely

Question:

194 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a legal difficulty on the age of concent for sexual activity, which is set at 17 years, as an unmarried person under the age of 18 is deemed a child under the Child Care Act 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5763/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Fahey)

I am not aware of any particular difficulty in regard to the definition of a child under the Child Care Act, 1991 and other aspects of the law as suggested by the Deputy. If the Deputy has concerns about an individual case perhaps he would communicate with me in this regard.