Joan Collins
Ceist:143. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice if the text of a Bill in relation to the ratification of the UN Second Optional Protocol has been finalised (details supplied). [32998/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 5 July 2023
Ceisteanna (143, 144, 145)
Joan Collins
Ceist:144. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice when the Second Optional Protocol on the UNCRC will be ratified (details supplied). [33005/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraJoan Collins
Ceist:145. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice if the UN Second Optional Protocol will be ratified before the summer recess of Dáil Éireann; and if not, if she will give a guarantee that the protocol will be ratified before the end of 2023. [33006/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 144 and 145 together.
The Government is firmly committed to ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023, which I will publish this month, will remove the final obstacles to ratification of the Protocol. The Bill will deal with the issues relating to extra-territorial jurisdiction to ensure that Ireland is compliant with the requirements of the Protocol. After publication, a date will be sought for the Bill to be debated by the Oireachtas.
Once enacted, the State should be in a position to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.