Regulation of convicted sexual offender’s profession
Sorca Clarke asks for legal and regulatory changes preventing a convicted sexual offender from returning to personal training after release. The Taoiseach says it would be appalling and will ask Ministers to examine how the loophole can be closed.
There are two speakers remaining: Deputies Sorca Clarke and Paul McAuliffe. I propose to take 30 seconds for each and then for the Taoiseach to reply.
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I wish to raise with the Taoiseach the very serious and concerning case of a personal trainer who operated a rehabilitation and fitness centre in Mullingar.
This man has been convicted and sentenced for sexually assaulting a woman he was treating for chronic pain and covertly recording 18 hours of footage of another 35 women in various states of undress. However, on release from prison, because of gaps in legislation and regulation, and despite being on the sex offenders register, this man will be able to resume the same work. This convicted sexual predator could return to work in the same environment-----
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-----where he perpetrated these crimes. That is not acceptable. Will the Government move quickly to amend the legislation and any regulations necessary to ensure that CORU takes-----
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-----a risk-based assessment as the basis for the regulation of professions and closes this loophole?