Vol. 493 No. 5
208 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to review the operation of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 1993; the prosecutions, if any, initiated under this legislation in each of the years from 1993 to date; and the outcome of these prosecutions. [16636/98]
Since the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 1993, came into force in July 1993 its implementation has been the subject of review from time to time.
I recently published a comprehensive discussion paper on the law on sexual offences. My Department is receiving submissions on the paper from interested individuals, groups and organisations up to 28 August next. All submissions will be taken fully into account in the formulation of any proposals for changes to the law which will ensue from the paper.
Statistics in relation to offences under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 1993, were first published as a specific category in the 1995 annual report of the Garda Síochána. Statistics for offences under the Act for the period prior to that are not therefore readily available. However, the 1994 annual report of the Garda Síochána does state that in 1994 proceedings were taken in respect of 15 non-indictable offences of prostitution and offences of living on earnings of prostitution and there were 14 convictions. The 1995 annual report of the Garda Síochána states that in 1995 proceedings were taken in respect of 56 non-indictable offences under the 1993 Act and there were 42 convictions. The 1996 annual report of the Garda Síochána states that in 1996 proceedings were taken in respect of 63 non-indictable offences under the Act and there were 45 convictions. The 1995 and 1996 figures relate to all non-indictable offences under the 1993 Act. Statistics for 1997 will be available shortly in the 1997 annual report of the Garda Síochána.
With regard to indictable offences under the 1993 Act, it would not be possible to produce statistics for those offences without verifying the individual details in each case where prosecutions were taken. This could only be achieved with a disproportionate expenditure of time and resources.
