Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, 1993

Public bill · Government · Presented

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, 1993 would remove criminal penalties for consensual anal sex between adults and repeal the offence covering sexual acts between men. It would keep such conduct illegal where it involved anyone under 17 or a person unable to protect themselves from serious exploitation because of mental impairment, with stronger penalties in some cases. It would also create clearer, gender-neutral offences covering prostitution, including soliciting, coercing someone into prostitution, living on its earnings while helping the prostitution, and running a brothel. Gardaí would receive new powers to direct suspected solicitors to leave public places, search suspected brothels and arrest people for certain offences.

Formal long title

An Act to amend the law in relation to sexual offences and for that purpose to amend the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, in relation to buggery; to amend the Criminal Law Amendment Acts, 1885 to 1935; to repeal the Vagrancy Act, 1898, and certain provisions of certain other enactments relating to sexual offences and to provide for connected matters.

Last updated 13 July 2020