Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 2017 Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Revised Act Acht Athbh… Open PDFOscail PDF Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 2 of 2017 CRIMINAL LAW (SEXUAL OFFENCES) ACT 2017 CONTENTS PART 1 Preliminary and General Section 1. Short title and commencement 2. Interpretation PART 2 Sexual Exploitation of Children 3. Obtaining, providing etc. a child for purpose of sexual exploitation 4. Invitation etc. to sexual touching 5. Sexual activity in presence of child 6. Causing child to watch sexual activity 7. Meeting child for purpose of sexual exploitation 8. Use of information and communication technology to facilitate sexual exploitation of child 9. Amendment of section 2 of Act of 1998 10. Amendment of section 3 of Act of 1998 11. Organising etc. child prostitution or production of child pornography 12. Producing, distributing, etc. child pornography 13. Participation of child in pornographic performance 14. Possession of child pornography 15. Amendment of section 1 of Act of 2006 16. Sexual act with child under 15 years of age 17. Sexual act with child under 17 years of age 18. Offence by person in authority 19. Amendment of section 8 of Act of 1990 PART 3 Sexual Act with Protected Persons 20. Definitions 21. Sexual act with protected person 22. Offence against relevant person by person in authority 23. Prosecutions 24. Repeals PART 4 Purchase of Sexual Services 25. Amendment of Act of 1993 26. Amendment of section 5 of Act of 2008 27. Report on operation of Act PART 5 Incest 28. Incest by males 29. Exclusion of public from hearings of proceedings under Act of 1908 30. Anonymity of person charged with offence under Act of 1908 and person to whom offence relates 31. Provisions in relation to offences under section 30 32. Repeal PART 6 Criminal Evidence 33. Amendment of section 1 of Act of 1992 34. Amendment of section 2 of Act of 1992 35. Amendment of section 13 of Act of 1992 36. Amendment of Act of 1992 37. Amendment of section 16 of Act of 1992 38. Amendment of section 17 of Act of 1992 39. Disclosure of third party records in certain trials 40. Amendment of section 28 of Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 PART 7 Jurisdiction 41. Amendment of Sexual Offences (Jurisdiction) Act 1996 42. Jurisdiction 43. Proceedings relating to offences committed outside State 44. Double jeopardy PART 8 Miscellaneous 45. Exposure, offensive conduct of sexual nature 46. Harassment order 47. Effect of appeal from order 48. Amendment of Act of 1990 49. Amendment of section 249 of Children Act 2001 50. Amendment of Bail Act 1997 51. Amendment of Act of 2001 52. Amendment of Criminal Procedure Act 2010 53. Amendment of Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 54. Amendment of Taxi Regulation Act 2013 55. Amendment of Children First Act 2015 56. Amendment of Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 57. Offences by bodies corporate Acts Referred to Bail Act 1997 (No. 16) Censorship of Films Acts 1923 to 1992 Censorship of Publications Acts 1929 to 1967 Child Care Act 1991 (No. 17) Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 (No. 22) Children Act 2001 (No. 24) Children First Act 2015 (No. 36) Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (No. 32) Companies Act 2014 (No. 38) Criminal Evidence Act 1992 (No. 12) Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 (No. 4) Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 (No. 24) Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 (No. 8) Criminal Law (Incest Proceedings) Act 1995 (No. 12) Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 (No. 32) Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1981 (No. 10) Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 (No. 20) Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 (No. 15) Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 (48 & 49 Vict., c. 69) Criminal Procedure Act 2010 (No. 27) Punishment of Incest Act 1908 (8 Edw., 7 c. 45) Sex Offenders Act 2001 (No. 18) Sexual Offences (Jurisdiction) Act 1996 (No. 38) Taxi Regulation Act 2013 (No. 37) Video Recordings Acts 1989 and 1992 Number 2 of 2017 CRIMINAL LAW (SEXUAL OFFENCES) ACT 2017 An Act to give effect to Directive No. 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 20111 on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA, for that purpose to amend certain enactments; to amend the Punishment of Incest Act 1908 ; to amend the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 ; to repeal certain provisions of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 ; to repeal the Criminal Law (Incest Proceedings) Act 1995 ; to amend the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 ; to provide for offences relating to sexual acts with protected persons and relating to payment for sexual activity with prostitutes, offensive conduct of a sexual nature and harassment of victims of sexual offences; and to provide for related matters. [22nd February, 2017] Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows: PART 1 Preliminary and General Short title and commencement 1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. (2) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister for Justice and Equality may appoint by order or orders whether generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions. Interpretation 2. In this Act— “Act of 1908” means the Punishment of Incest Act 1908 ; “Act of 1981” means the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1981 ; “Act of 1990” means the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 ; “Act of 1992” means the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 ; “Act of 1993” means the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 ; “Act of 1995” means the Criminal Law (Incest Proceedings) Act 1995 ; “Act of 1998” means the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 ; “Act of 2001” means the Sex Offenders Act 2001 ; “Act of 2006” means the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 ; “Act of 2008” means the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 ; “image” means any photographic, film or video representation or any other form of visual representation, and any accompanying sound or any documents; “sexual activity” means any activity where a reasonable person would consider that— (a) whatever its circumstances or the purpose of any person in relation to it, the activity is because of its nature sexual, or (b) because of its nature the activity may be sexual and because of its circumstances or the purposes of any person in relation to it (or both) the activity is sexual; “sexual exploitation” means, in relation to a child— (a) inviting, inducing or coercing the child to engage in prostitution or the production of child pornography, (b) the prostitution of the child or the use of the child for the production of child pornography, (c) the commission of an offence specified in the Schedule to the Act of 2001 against the child, causing another person to commit such an offence against the child, or inviting, inducing or coercing the child to commit such an offence against another person, (d) inducing or coercing the child to engage or participate in any sexual, indecent or obscene act, (e) inviting the child to engage or participate in any sexual, indecent or obscene act which, if done, would involve the commission of an offence against the child, or (f) inviting, inducing or coercing the child to observe any sexual, indecent or obscene act, for the purpose of corrupting or depraving the child. PART 2 Sexual Exploitation of Children Obtaining, providing etc. a child for purpose of sexual exploitation 3. (1) A person who for the purposes of the sexual exploitation of a child— (a) pays, gives, offers or promises to pay or give a child or another person money or any other form of remuneration or consideration, (b) provides or offers or offers or promises to provide, a child to another person, or (c) obtains a child for himself or herself or for another person, shall be guilty of an offence. (2) A person (other than the child) who accepts or agrees to accept money or any other form of remuneration or consideration in the circumstances referred to in subsection (1)(a) or accepts or agrees to accept a child in the circumstances referred to in subsection (1)(b) or (1)(c) shall be guilty of an offence. (3) A person who causes an offence under subsection (1) or (2) to be committed shall be guilty of an offence. (4) A person who attempts to commit an offence under subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence. (5) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or both. (6) In this section “child” means a person under the age of 18 years. Invitation etc. to sexual touching 4. (1) A person who, for sexual purposes, invites, induces, counsels or incites a child to touch, with a part of the body or with an object, the body of any person, including the body of the person who so invites, induces, counsels or incites and the body of the child, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years. (2) In this section “child” means a person under the age of 15 years. Sexual activity in presence of child 5. (1) A person who, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification from the presence of a child or corrupting or depraving a child, intentionally engages in sexual activity whether or not with another person— (a) when the child is present or in a place from which the person can be observed by the child, and (b) knowing or believing that the child is aware, or intending that the child should be aware, that the person is engaging in sexual activity, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years. (2) In this section “child” means a person under the age of 17 years. Causing child to watch sexual activity 6. (1) A person who, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification or corrupting or depraving a child, intentionally causes a child— (a) to watch another person engaging in sexual activity, or (b) to look at an image of that person or another person engaging in sexual activity, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years. (2) In this section “child” means a person under the age of 17 years. Meeting child for purpose of sexual exploitation 7. (1) A person who— (a) intentionally meets, or travels with the intention of meeting a child or makes arrangements with the intention of meeting a child or for a child to travel, whether or not from within the State, having communicated by any means with that child on at least one previous occasion, and (b) does so for the purpose of doing anything that would constitute sexual exploitation of the child, shall be guilty of an offence. (2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years. (3) In this section “child” means a person under the age of 17 years. Use of information and communication technology to facilitate sexual exploitation of child 8. (1) A person who by means of information and communication technology communicates with another person (including a child) for the purpose of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child by that person or any other person shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years. (2) A person who by means of information and communication technology sends sexually explicit material to a child shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years. (3) No proceedings for an offence under this section against a child under the age of 17 years shall be brought except by, or with the consent of, the Director of Public Prosecutions. (4) In this section “sexually explicit material” means any indecent or obscene images or words. (5) In this section “child” means a person under the age of 17 years. Amendment of section 2 of Act of 1998 9. Section 2(1) of the Act of 1998 is amended— (a) by the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “child”: “ ‘child’ means a person under the age of 18 years;”, and (b) by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (a) of the definition of “child pornography”: “(a) any visual representation— (i) that shows, or in the case of a document relates to, a person who is or is depicted as being a child and who is engaged in or is depicted as being engaged in real or simulated sexually explicit activity, (ii) that shows, or in the case of a document relates to, a person who is or is depicted as being a child and who is or is depicted as witnessing any such activity by any person or persons, or (iii) that shows, for a sexual purpose, the genital or anal region of a child or of a person depicted as being a child,”. Amendment of section 3 of Act of 1998 10. Section 3 of the Act of 1998 is amended— (a) by the repeal of subsections (2A) and (2B), and (b) in subsection (5), by the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “sexual exploitation”: “ ‘sexual exploitation’ means, in relation to a child— (a) inviting, inducing or coercing the child to engage in prostitution or the production of child pornography, (b) the prostitution of the child or the use of the child for the production of child pornography, (c) the commission of an offence specified in the Schedule to the Sex Offenders Act 2001 against the child, causing another person to commit such an offence against the child, or inviting, inducing or coercing the child to commit such an offence against another person, (d) inducing or coercing the child to engage or participate in any sexual, indecent or obscene act, (e) inviting the child to engage or participate in any sexual, indecent or obscene act which, if done, would involve the commission of an offence against the child, or (f) inviting, inducing or coercing the child to observe any sexual, indecent or obscene act, for the purpose of corrupting or depraving the child, and ‘sexually exploits’ shall be construed accordingly;”. Organising etc. child prostitution or production of child pornography 11. The Act of 1998 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 4: “4A. (1) A person who— (a) controls or directs the activities of a child for the purposes of the prostitution of the child or the use of the child for the production of child pornography, (b) organises the prostitution of children or the production of child pornography by controlling or directing the activities of more than one child for those purposes, (c) compels, coerces or recruits a child to engage or participate in child prostitution or the production of child pornography, (d) knowingly gains from the prostitution of a child or the production of child pornography, or (e) incites or causes a child to become involved in child prostitution or production of child pornography, shall be guilty of an offence. (2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years or both.”. Producing, distributing, etc. child pornography 12. The Act of 1998 is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 5: “5. (1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4) of section 6, a person who— (a) knowingly produces any child pornography, (b) knowingly distributes, transmits, disseminates, prints or publishes any child pornography, (c) knowingly imports, exports, sells or shows any child pornography, (d) knowingly supplies or makes available any child pornography to another person, (e) knowingly publishes, distributes, transmits or disseminates any advertisement likely to be understood as conveying that the advertiser or any other person produces, distributes, transmits, disseminates, prints, publishes, imports, exports, sells, shows, supplies or makes available any child pornography, (f) encourages, knowingly causes or facilitates any activity mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e), or (g) knowingly possesses any child pornography for the purpose of distributing, transmitting, disseminating, publishing, exporting, selling or showing it, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable— (i) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or (ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years or both. (2) A person who attempts to commit an offence under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years or both. (3) In this section ‘distributes’, ‘transmits’ or ‘disseminates’, in relation to child pornography, includes parting with possession of it to, or exposing or offering it for acquisition by, another person, and the references to ‘distributing’, ‘transmitting’ and ‘disseminating’ in that context shall be construed accordingly.”. Participation of child in pornographic performance 13. The Act of 1998 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 5: “5A. (1) A person who— (a) causes, incites, compels or coerces, or (b) recruits, invites or induces, a child to participate in a pornographic performance, or gains from such participation, shall be guilty of an offence. (2) A person who attempts to commit an offence under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence. (3) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years. (4) A person who knowingly attends a pornographic performance shall be guilty of an offence. (5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or both. (6) In this section— ‘attends a pornographic performance’ includes viewing the performance by means of information and communication technology, ‘pornographic performance’ means a live exhibition aimed at an audience, including by means of information and communication technology, of— (a) a child engaged in real or simulated sexually explicit activity, or (b) the sexual organs of a child for primarily sexual purposes.”. Possession of child pornography 14. The Act of 1998 is amended by the substitution of the following for section 6: “6. (1) Without prejudice to section 5(1)(g) and subject to subsections (3) and (4), any person who— (a) knowingly acquires or possesses child pornography, or (b) knowingly obtains access to child pornography by means of information and communication technology, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable— (i) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or (ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both. (2) Any person who attempts to commit an offence under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both. (3) Subsections (1) and (2) of section 5 and subsections (1) and (2) shall not apply to a person who possesses or obtains access to child pornography— (a) in the exercise of functions under the Censorship of Films Acts 1923 to 1992, the Censorship of Publications Acts 1929 to 1967, or the Video Recordings Acts 1989 and 1992, or (b) for the purpose of the prevention, investigation or prosecution of offences under this Act. (4) Without prejudice to subsection (3), it shall be a defence in a prosecution for an offence under section 5(1) or (2) or this section for the accused to prove that he or she possessed or obtained access to the child pornography concerned for the purposes of bona fide research.”. Amendment of section 1 of Act of 2006 15. Section 1 of the Act of 2006 is amended— (a) by the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “person in authority”: “ ‘person in authority’, in relation to a child against whom an offence is alleged to have been committed, means— (a) a parent, grandparent, uncle or aunt whether of the whole blood, of the half blood or by affinity of the child, (b) a current or former guardian or foster parent of the child, (c) a current or former step-parent of the child, (d) a current or former partner of a parent of the child who lives or has lived in an enduring family relationship with the parent, (e) any person who is for the time being, or has been, in loco parentis to the child, or (f) any other person who is or has been responsible for the education, supervision, training, care or welfare of the child;”, and (b) by the insertion of the following definition: “ ‘foster parent’ means a person other than a relative of a child who is caring for the child on behalf of the Child and Family Agency in accordance with regulations made under the Child Care Act 1991 ;”. Sexual act with child under 15 years of age 16. The Act of 2006 is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 2: “2. (1) A person who engages in a sexual act with a child who is under the age of 15 years shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life or a lesser term of imprisonment. (2) A person who attempts to engage in a sexual act with a child who is under the age of 15 years shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life or a lesser term of imprisonment. (3) It shall be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that he or she was reasonably mistaken that, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, the child against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed had attained the age of 15 years. (4) Where, in proceedings for an offence under this section, it falls to the court to consider whether the defendant was reasonably mistaken that, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, the child against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed had attained the age of 15 years, the court shall consider whether, in all the circumstances of the case, a reasonable person would have concluded that the child had attained the said age. (5) The standard of proof required to prove that the defendant was reasonably mistaken that the child had attained the age of 15 years shall be that applicable to civil proceedings. (6) It shall not be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that the child against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed consented to the sexual act of which the offence consisted.”. Sexual act with child under 17 years of age 17. The Act of 2006 is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 3: “3. (1) A person who engages in a sexual act with a child who is under the age of 17 years shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment— (a) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years, or (b) if he or she is a person in authority, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 years. (2) A person who attempts to engage in a sexual act with a child who is under the age of 17 years shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment— (a) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years, or (b) if he or she is a person in authority, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 years. (3) It shall be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that he or she was reasonably mistaken that, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, the child against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed had attained the age of 17 years. (4) Where, in proceedings for an offence under this section, it falls to the court to consider whether the defendant was reasonably mistaken that, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, the child against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed had attained the age of 17 years, the court shall consider whether, in all the circumstances of the case, a reasonable person would have concluded that the child had attained the said age. (5) The standard of proof required to prove that the defendant was reasonably mistaken that the child had attained the age of 17 years shall be that applicable to civil proceedings. (6) Subject to subsection (8), it shall not be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that the child against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed consented to the sexual act of which the offence consisted. (7) No proceedings for an offence under this section against a child under the age of 17 years shall be brought except by, or with the consent of, the Director of Public Prosecutions. (8) Where, in proceedings for an offence under this section against a child who at the time of the alleged commission of the offence had attained the age of 15 years but was under the age of 17 years, it shall be a defence that the child consented to the sexual act of which the offence consisted where the defendant— (a) is younger or less than 2 years older than the child, (b) was not, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, a person in authority in respect of the child, and (c) was not, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, in a relationship with the child that was intimidatory or exploitative of the child.”. Offence by person in authority 18. The Act of 2006 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 3: “3A. (1) A person in authority who engages in a sexual act with a child who has attained the age of 17 years but is under the age of 18 years shall be guilty of an offence. (2) A person who attempts to commit an offence under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence. (3) It shall be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that he or she was reasonably mistaken that, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, the child against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed had attained the age of 18 years. (4) Where, in proceedings for an offence under this section, it falls to the court to consider whether the defendant was reasonably mistaken that, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, the child against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed had attained the age of 18 years, the court shall consider whether, in all the circumstances of the case, a reasonable person would have concluded that the child had attained that age. (5) The standard of proof required to prove that the defendant was reasonably mistaken that the child had attained the age of 18 years shall be that applicable to civil proceedings. (6) It shall be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that he or she was not a person in authority in relation to the child against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed. (7) It shall not be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that the child against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed consented to the sexual act of which the offence consisted. (8) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.”. Amendment of section 8 of Act of 1990 19. Section 8 of the Act of 1990 is amended— (a) in subsection (2), by— (i) the substitution of “ section 2 , 3 or 3A of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 ” for “ section 2 or 3 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 ”, and (ii) the substitution of “the said section 3 or section 2 , 3 or 3A of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 ” for the “the said section 1, 2 or 3”, and (b) in subsection (5), by— (i) the substitution of “ section 3 or 3A of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 ” for “ section 3 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 ”, and (ii) the substitution of “the said section 3 or section 3 or 3A of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 ,” for “the said section 3 or section 3 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 ,”. PART 3 Sexual Act with Protected Persons Definitions 20. In this Part— “sexual act” means— (a) an act consisting of— (i) sexual intercourse, or (ii) buggery, (b) an act described in section 3(1) or 4(1) of the Act of 1990, or (c) an act which if done without consent would constitute a sexual assault; “sexual intercourse” shall be construed in accordance with section 1(2) of the Act of 1981. Sexual act with protected person 21. (1) A person who engages in a sexual act with a protected person knowing that that person is a protected person or being reckless as to whether that person is a protected person shall be guilty of an offence. (2) A person who invites, induces, counsels or incites a protected person to engage in a sexual act knowing that that person is a protected person or being reckless as to whether that person is a protected person shall be guilty of an offence. (3) In proceedings for an offence under this section, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is shown, that the defendant knew or was reckless as to whether the person against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed was a protected person. (4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) where the sexual act consisted of sexual intercourse, buggery or an act described in section 3(1) or 4(1) of the Act of 1990 shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life or a lesser term of imprisonment. (5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) where the sexual act consisted of an act which if done without consent would constitute a sexual assault shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years. (6) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) shall be liable, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years. (7) For the purposes of this section, a person lacks the capacity to consent to a sexual act if he or she is, by reason of a mental or intellectual disability or a mental illness, incapable of— (a) understanding the nature, or the reasonably foreseeable consequences, of that act, (b) evaluating relevant information for the purposes of deciding whether or not to engage in that act, or (c) communicating his or her consent to that act by speech, sign language or otherwise, and, in this section, such a person is referred to as a “protected person”. Offence against relevant person by person in authority 22. (1) A person in authority who engages in a sexual act with a relevant person shall be guilty of an offence. (2) A person in authority who invites, induces, counsels or incites a relevant person to engage in a sexual act shall be guilty of an offence. (3) It shall be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that he or she was reasonably mistaken that, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, the person against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed was not a relevant person. (4) It shall not be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that the person against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed consented to the sexual act of which the offence consisted. (5) The standard of proof required to prove that the defendant was reasonably mistaken that the person against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed was not a relevant person shall be that applicable to civil proceedings. (6) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) where the sexual act consisted of sexual intercourse, buggery or an act described in section 3(1) or 4(1) of the Act of 1990 shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years. (7) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) where the sexual act consisted of an act which if done without consent would constitute a sexual assault, or an offence under subsection (2) shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years. (8) In this section— “person in authority”, in relation to a relevant person against whom an offence is alleged to have been committed, means any person who as part of a contract of service or a contract for services is, for the time being, responsible for the education, supervision, training, treatment, care or welfare of the relevant person; “relevant person” means a person who has— (a) a mental or intellectual disability, or (b) a mental illness, which is of such a nature or degree as to severely restrict the ability of the person to guard himself or herself against serious exploitation. Prosecutions 23. No proceedings for an offence under this Part shall be brought except by, or with the consent of, the Director of Public Prosecutions. Repeals 24. Sections 5 and 6(2) of the Act of 1993 are repealed. PART 4 Purchase of Sexual Services Amendment of Act of 1993 25. The Act of 1993 is amended— (a) in subsection (2) of section 1, by the deletion of paragraph (a), (b) by the insertion of the following section after section 7: “Payment etc. for sexual activity with prostitute 7A. (1) A person who pays, gives, offers or promises to pay or give a person (including a prostitute) money or any other form of remuneration or consideration for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a prostitute shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction— (a) in the case of a first offence, to a class E fine, and (b) in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a class D fine. (2) In this section ‘sexual activity’ means any activity where a reasonable person would consider that— (a) whatever its circumstances or the purpose of any person in relation to it, the activity is because of its nature sexual, or (b) because of its nature the activity may be sexual and because of its circumstances or the purposes of any person in relation to it (or both) the activity is sexual.”, (c) in section 8, by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (2): “(2) A person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse fails to comply with a direction under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a class D fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.”, (d) in section 9, by the substitution of the following subparagraphs for subparagraphs (i) and (ii): “(i) on summary conviction to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or (ii) on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both.”, (e) in subsection (1) of section 10, by the substitution of “to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both” for “to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both”, (f) in section 11, by the substitution of the following subparagraph for subparagraph (i): “(i) on summary conviction to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or”, and (g) in subsection (1) of section 13, by the insertion of “7A,” after “7,”. Amendment of section 5 of Act of 2008 26. Section 5 of the Act of 2008 is amended by— (a) the insertion of the following subsection: “(2A) A person who pays, gives, offers or promises to pay or give a person (including the trafficked person) money or any other form of remuneration or consideration for the purposes of the prostitution of a trafficked person shall be guilty of an offence.”, and (b) in subsection (5), by the substitution of “sections 7 and 7A of the Act of 1993 in so far as an offence under those sections” for “section 7 of the Act of 1993 in so far as an offence under that section”. Report on operation of Act 27. (1) The Minister for Justice and Equality shall, not later than 3 years after the commencement of this Part, cause a report to be prepared on the operation of section 7A of the Act of 1993 and shall cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. (2) The report shall include— (a) information as to the number of arrests and convictions in respect of offences under section 7A of the Act of 1993 during the period from the commencement of that section, and (b) an assessment of the impact of the operation of that section on the safety and well-being of persons who engage in sexual activity for payment. PART 5 Incest Incest by males 28. The Act of 1908 is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 1: “1. (1) Any male person who has carnal knowledge of a female person, who is to his knowledge his grand-daughter, daughter, sister or mother, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life or a lesser term of imprisonment. (2) It shall not be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to show that the carnal knowledge was had with the consent of the female person.”. Exclusion of public from hearings of proceedings under Act of 1908 29. (1) In any proceedings for an offence under the Act of 1908, the judge or the court, as the case may be, shall exclude from the court during the hearing all persons except officers of the court, persons directly concerned in the proceedings, bona fide representatives of the press and such other persons (if any) as the judge or the court, as the case may be, may, in his, her or its discretion, permit to remain. (2) In any proceedings to which subsection (1) applies the verdict or decision and the sentence (if any) shall be announced in public. Anonymity of person charged with offence under Act of 1908 and person to whom offence relates 30. (1) Subject to subsection (4), after a person is charged with an offence under the Act of 1908 no matter likely to lead members of the public to identify that person as the person charged or to identify any other person as a person in relation to whom the offence is alleged to have been committed shall be published in a publication available to the public or broadcast. (2) If any matter is published or broadcast in contravention of subsection (1), the following persons shall be guilty of an offence namely: (a) in the case of matter published in a newspaper or periodical publication, the proprietor, the editor and the publisher thereof; (b) in the case of matter published in any other publication, the publisher thereof; and (c) in the case of matter broadcast, any person who transmits or provides the programme in which the broadcast is made and any person who performs functions in relation to the programme corresponding to those of the editor of a newspaper. (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as— (a) prohibiting the publication or broadcast of matter consisting only of a report of legal proceedings other than proceedings at, or intended to lead to, or an appeal arising out of, a trial of a person for an offence under the Act of 1908, or (b) affecting any prohibition or restriction imposed by virtue of any other enactment upon the publication or broadcasting of any matter. (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), where a person is charged with both an offence under the Act of 1908 and a sexual assault offence and the charge relating to an offence under the Act of 1908 is not proceeded with or the person is acquitted of the charge under the Act of 1908 and no appeal is taken under section 23 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2010 , the provisions of sections 7 and 8 of the Act of 1981 shall apply as if the charge under the Act of 1908 had not been brought. (5) In this section— “a sexual assault offence” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1(1) of the Act of 1981 (amended by section 12 of the Act of 1990); “broadcast” means the transmission, relaying or distribution by wireless telegraphy or by any other means or by wireless telegraphy in conjunction with any other means of communications, sounds, signs, visual images or signals, intended for direct reception by the general public whether such communications, sounds, signs, visual images or signals are actually received or not; “published” means published to any person, and includes published on the internet; “publication” includes a film, sound track or any other record in permanent form (including a record that is not in a legible form but which is capable of being reproduced in a legible form) but does not include an indictment or other document prepared for use in particular legal proceedings. Provisions in relation to offences under section 30 31. (1) A person guilty of an offence under section 30 shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction, to a class B fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both. (2) It shall be a defence for a person who is charged with an offence under section 30 to prove that at the time of the alleged offence the person was not aware, and neither suspected nor had reason to suspect, that the matter alleged to have been published or broadcast was a matter specified in the said section 30 . Repeal 32. The Criminal Law (Incest Proceedings) Act 1995 is repealed. PART 6 Criminal Evidence Amendment of section 1 of Act of 1992 33. Section 1(4) of the Act of 1992 is amended in paragraph (a) by the substitution of “(except sections 14A, 15, 16(1)(b), 18 and 19A)” for “(except sections 15, 16(1)(b) and 18)”. Amendment of section 2 of Act of 1992 34. Section 2(1) of the Act of 1992 is amended by the substitution of the following for the definition of “sexual offence”: “ ‘sexual offence’ means rape, sexual assault (within the meaning of section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 ), aggravated sexual assault (within the meaning of section 3 of that Act), rape under section 4 of that Act or an offence under— (a) section 3 or 6 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 , (b) section 5 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 , (c) section 6 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 , (d) section 1 or 2 of the Punishment of Incest Act 1908 , (e) section 4A or 5A of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 , (f) section 249 of the Children Act 2001 , (g) the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 , or (h) section 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 or 8 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, excluding an attempt to commit any such offence;”. Amendment of section 13 of Act of 1992 35. Section 13 of the Act of 1992 is amended by the deletion of subsection (3). Amendment of Act of 1992 36. The Act of 1992 is amended by the insertion of the following sections after section 14: “Evidence from behind a screen etc. 14A. (1) Subject to subsection (2), where— (a) a person is accused of an offence to which this Part applies, and (b) a person under the age of 18 years is to give evidence other than through a live television link, the court may, if satisfied that the interests of justice so require, direct that evidence be given from behind a screen or other similar device so as to prevent the witness from seeing the accused. (2) A witness giving evidence under subsection (1) shall be capable of seeing and hearing and being seen and heard by— (a) the judge and jury (if any), (b) legal representatives acting in the proceedings, and (c) any interpreter, intermediary appointed under section 14 or any other person appointed to assist the witness, and shall be capable of being seen and heard by the accused. Wigs and gowns 14B. Where a person under the age of 18 years is giving evidence in respect of an offence to which this Part applies, neither the judge nor the barrister or solicitor concerned in the examination of the witness shall wear a wig or gown. Protection against cross-examination by accused 14C. (1) Where— (a) a person is accused of an offence to which this Part applies, and (b) a person under the age of 18 years is to give evidence, the court shall direct that the accused may not personally cross-examine the witness unless the court is of the opinion that the interests of justice require the accused to conduct the cross-examination personally. (2) Where— (a) a person is accused of a sexual offence, and (b) a person who has attained the age of 18 years (being a person in respect of whom a sexual offence is alleged to have been committed) is to give evidence, the court may direct that the accused may not personally cross- examine the witness unless the court is of the opinion that the interests of justice require the accused to conduct the cross-examination personally. (3) Where an accused person is prevented from cross-examining a witness by virtue of subsection (1) or (2), the court shall— (a) invite the accused person to arrange for a legal representative to act for him or her for the purpose of cross-examining the witness, and (b) require the accused person to notify the court, by the end of such period as it may specify, as to whether a legal representative is to act for the accused for that purpose. (4) If by the end of the period referred to in subsection (3)(b), the accused has notified the court that no legal representative is to act for him or her for the purpose of cross-examining the witness or no notification has been received by the court and it appears to the court that no legal representative is to so act, the court shall consider whether it is necessary, in the interests of justice, for the witness to be cross-examined by a legal representative appointed to represent the interests of the accused person. (5) If the court decides it is necessary, in the interests of justice, for the witness to be so cross-examined, the court shall appoint a legal representative (chosen by the court) to cross-examine the witness on behalf of the accused. (6) Where, in a jury trial, an accused person is prevented from cross-examining a witness in person by virtue of this section, the court shall give the jury such warning (if any) as it considers necessary to ensure that the accused person is not prejudiced— (a) by any inferences that might be drawn from the fact that the accused has been prevented from cross-examining the witness in person, or (b) where the witness has been cross-examined by a legal representative appointed under subsection (5), by the fact that the cross-examination was carried out by such a legal representative and not by a person acting as the legal representative of the accused. (7) In addition to the meaning assigned to that expression by section 27 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 , ‘legal aid’ in that Act means representation by a solicitor or barrister, engaged by the Legal Aid Board under section 11 of that Act on behalf of the accused in relation to the cross-examination of a witness under subsection (3).”. Amendment of section 16 of Act of 1992 37. Section 16 of the Act of 1992 is amended in subsection (1) by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (b): “(b) a video recording of any statement made during an interview with a member of the Garda Síochána or any other person who is competent for the purpose— (i) by a person under 14 years of age (being a person in respect of whom such an offence is alleged to have been committed), or (ii) by a person under 18 years of age (being a person other than the accused) in relation to— (I) a sexual offence, or (II) an offence under section 3 (1), (2) or (3) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 , or (III) an offence under section 2 , 4 or 7 of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 ,”. Amendment of section 17 of Act of 1992 38. Section 17 of the Act of 1992 is amended by the substitution of “through a live television link, by means of a videorecording or from behind a screen or other similar device”, for “through a live television link or by means of a videorecording”. Disclosure of third party records in certain trials 39. The Act of 1992 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 19: “19A. (1) In this section— ‘Act of 1995’ means the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 ; ‘competent person’ means a person who has undertaken training or study or has experience relevant to the process of counselling; ‘counselling’ means listening to and giving verbal or other support or encouragement to a person, or advising or providing therapy or other treatment to a person (whether or not for remuneration); ‘counselling record’ means any record, or part of a record, made by any means, by a competent person in connection with the provision of counselling to a person in respect of whom a sexual offence is alleged to have been committed (‘the complainant’), which the prosecutor has had sight of, or about which the prosecutor has knowledge, and in relation to which there is a reasonable expectation of privacy; ‘court’ means the Circuit Criminal Court or the Central Criminal Court; ‘sexual offence’ means an offence referred to in the Schedule to the Sex Offenders Act 2001 . (2) In criminal proceedings for a sexual offence the prosecutor shall notify the accused of the existence of any counselling record but shall not disclose the content of the record without the leave of the court given in accordance with this section. (3) An accused who seeks disclosure of the content of a counselling record may make an application (‘disclosure application’), in writing, to the court— (a) providing particulars identifying the record sought, and (b) stating the reasons grounding the application, including grounds relied on to establish that the record is likely to be relevant to an issue at trial. (4) An accused who intends to make a disclosure application shall, not later than the beginning of such period as may be prescribed in rules of court, notify the person who has possession or control of the counselling record, the complainant, the prosecutor and any other person to whom the accused believes the counselling record relates of his or her intention to make the application. (5) Where no disclosure application has been made by the accused in respect of a counselling record under subsection (3) and the prosecutor believes that it is in the interests of justice that the record should be disclosed, the prosecutor may make a disclosure application in writing to the court. (6) Where the prosecutor intends to make a disclosure application under subsection (5), he or she shall, not later than the beginning of such period as may be prescribed in rules of court, notify the person who has possession or control of the relevant record, the complainant, the accused and any other person to whom the prosecutor believes the counselling record relates of his or her intention to make the application. (7) The court may, at any time, order that a disclosure application be notified to any person to whom it believes the counselling record may relate. (8) The court shall hold a hearing to determine whether the content of the counselling record should be disclosed to the accused and the person who has possession or control of the counselling record shall produce the counselling record at the hearing for examination by the court. (9) The person who has possession or control of the counselling record, the complainant and any other person to whom the counselling records relates shall be entitled to appear and be heard at the hearing referred to in subsection (8). (10) In determining, at the hearing referred to in subsection (8), whether the content of the counselling record should be disclosed to the accused under subsection (11), the court shall take the following factors, in particular, into account: (a) the extent to which the record is necessary for the accused to defend the charges against him; (b) the probative value of the record; (c) the reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to the record; (d) the potential prejudice to the right to privacy of any person to whom the record relates; (e) the public interest in encouraging the reporting of sexual offences; (f) the public interest in encouraging complainants of sexual offences to seek counselling; (g) the effect of the determination on the integrity of the trial process; (h) the likelihood that disclosing, or requiring the disclosure of, the record will cause harm to the complainant including the nature and extent of that harm. (11) (a) Subject to paragraph (b) and subsection (12), after the hearing referred to in subsection (8), the court may order disclosure of the content of the counselling record to the accused and the prosecutor where it is in the interests of justice to do so. (b) The court shall order disclosure of the content of the counselling record to the accused where there would be a real risk of an unfair trial in the absence of such disclosure. (12) (a) Where an order is made pursuant to subsection (11), in the interests of justice and to protect the right to privacy of any person to whom the counselling record relates, the court may impose any condition it considers necessary on the disclosure of the record. (b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), one or more of the following conditions may be included in an order made pursuant to subsection (11)— (i) that a part of the content of the counselling record be redacted, (ii) that a copy of the counselling record and not the original be disclosed, (iii) that the accused and any legal representative for the accused not disclose the content of the counselling record to any person without leave of the court, (iv) that the counselling record be viewed only at the offices of the court, (v) that no copies, or only a limited number of copies, of the counselling record, be made, (vi) that information concerning the address, telephone number or place of employment of any person named in the counselling record be redacted from the record, (vii) that the counselling record be returned to the person who owns or controls the said record, (viii) that the counselling record is used solely for the purposes of the criminal proceedings for which the record has been disclosed. (13) The court shall provide reasons for ordering, or refusing to order, disclosure of the content of a counselling record pursuant to subsection (12). (14) (a) Subject to paragraph (b), a disclosure application shall be made before the commencement of the trial of the accused. (b) Where, upon application by the accused, the court considers that the interests of justice require the making of a disclosure application after the commencement of the trial, the court may direct that such an application may be made. (15) For the purposes of a hearing pursuant to subsection (8), all persons, other than officers of the court, persons directly concerned in the hearing and such other persons (if any) as the court may determine, shall be excluded from the court during the hearing. (16) In addition to the meaning assigned to that expression by section 27 of the Act of 1995, ‘legal aid’ in that Act means representation by a solicitor or barrister, engaged by the Legal Aid Board under section 11 of that Act, on behalf of a complainant or witness in relation to a disclosure application that concerns the complainant or witness. (17) This section does not apply where a complainant or witness has expressly waived his or her right to non-disclosure of a counselling record without leave of the court.”. Amendment of section 28 of Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 40. Section 28 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 is amended by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (5A): “(5B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, where an accused person is prevented from conducting a cross-examination referred to in section 14C of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 , the Board shall grant a legal aid certificate to the accused for the purpose of his or her being represented in relation to such a cross-examination. (5C) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Board shall grant a legal aid certificate to a complainant or witness for the purpose of his or her being represented in relation to an application referred to in subsection (3) of section 19A of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 , that concerns him or her.”. PART 7 Jurisdiction Amendment of Sexual Offences (Jurisdiction) Act 1996 41. The Sexual Offences (Jurisdiction) Act 1996 is amended— (a) in section 1, by the substitution of “18 years” for “17 years”, (b) in section 8, by the substitution of “18 years” for “17 years” in each place that it occurs, and (c) in the Schedule, in paragraph 1, by the insertion of the following: “12. Section 5 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 . 13. Section 5A(4) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 . 14. Section 6 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 . 15. Section 5 of the Cr …