Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
363. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the review of Part 4 of the Sexual Offences Act 2017; if a new lead researcher has been appointed; if she will provide a timeline for its completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50677/23]
View answerThe changes made by the 2017 Sexual Offences Act allow those engaged in prostitution to provide information to Gardaí, for instance if they were subjected to violence by clients, without fear of prosecution for selling sexual services.
Section 27 of the Act provides for the review to which the Deputy's question refers.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department commissioned an independent consultant to undertake this statutory review but, due to a number of reasons, it wasn’t possible for the review to be completed within the desired timeframe.
I very much regret the delay.
Expressions of interest to complete the Part 4 review of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 2017 were sought with a closing date for receipt of 31 October 2023. The Department is in the process of convening a review panel to assess the expressions of interest received and should be in a position to select a new consultant in the coming weeks.
Again, I reiterate that I regret the delay with this review and want to see the report finalised and published as soon as possible. The intention is that, once a new study lead is engaged, this review can be brought to a conclusion without any further undue delay.
I can assure the Deputy that once the review is completed and the report received, any recommendations made will be considered as a priority.
