Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1053. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there will be no further reason not to proceed to ratification of the UNCRC second optional protocol, on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, once Ireland is in compliance with certain outstanding aspects. [48261/23]
View answer1054. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 5 July 2023, the exact requirements to proceed to the next steps; and how soon an awareness-raising campaign will commence (details supplied). [48262/23]
View answer1055. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has made preparations for the ratification of the UNCRC second optional protocol, on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (details supplied); and, if so, if he will elaborate on his plans for same. [48263/23]
View answer1056. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the awareness-raising campaign in schools and colleges will be in the hands solely of him or if it will require the agreement of the Ministers for Education and Justice, or other school bodies, as Ireland must be compliant with all of Article 9 of the second optional protocol to the UNCRC (OPSC) when Ireland ratifies it. [48267/23]
View answer1057. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as Ireland has had a very long time to prepare for all that is needed to comply with Article 9 of the second optional protocol to the UNCRC (OPSC), if he has a plan in place, or does he envisage that it will not take too long to put in place. [48268/23]
View answer1060. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the awareness-raising campaign on Article 9 of the second optional protocol to the UNCRC will be ongoing and done in such a way that the general public can see the information without having to read small print or a www link (details supplied); and if the awareness campaign will be similar to the 'Disability rights are Human Rights' campaign. [48343/23]
View answer1061. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 29 March 2023, to outline his plans for Ireland meeting its obligation on Article 9 of the UNCRC, in particular when Ireland ratifies the second optional protocol to the UNCRC (OPSC). [48344/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1053 to 1057, inclusive, 1060 and 1061 together.
In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, several legislative measures have been implemented which were necessary to ensure that Ireland is in compliance with the obligations of the Optional Protocol. Enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 were significant steps on the pathway to the ratification of the Optional Protocol.
Further legislative amendments relating to the extra-territorial jurisdiction requirements under Article 3.1 are intended to ensure that the State is in compliance with certain outstanding aspects of the Protocol. These amendments were included in the General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023, which is currently before Dáil Éireann, third stage (as of 4 October 2023).
Once enacted, my Department will consult further with the Attorney General’s office on the next steps. This will include working to ensure readiness in all relevant Departments.
It is expected that an awareness raising campaign will commence in early 2024. Details of this campaign have yet to be decided.
