Charlie Flanagan

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2018 introduces presumptive minimum sentences for repeat sex offenders and also corrects an anomaly in the law of incest by equalising the penalty for incest where it is committed by a man or a woman.

Under the existing regime, men who commit incest face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment while women face a maximum jail sentence of seven years. The new law will see a maximum of life imprisonment for both men and women.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: “I am very pleased that this bill has now been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. By introducing presumptive minimum sentencing provisions for repeat sex offenders, we are recognising the impact these devastating crimes have on victims and on society as a whole.”

Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, who introduced a private member’s bill with similar provisions in 2017, added: “I am delighted that this bill has been passed today and I am heartened by the broad support it has received in the Houses.

“I believe this is an important measure that needs to be taken and I thank Minister Flanagan for having taken forward the proposals introduced by me in a private member’s bill.”