Government considers changing the age of consent

The government is considering changing the legal age of consent from 17 to 16.
It was one of the items on the agenda for the final cabinet meeting before Christmas.
An all-party Oireachtas committee recommended the change in 2006.
But Lisa Collins from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children says they would be slow to recommend a change in the law.
“We certainly do feel that 17 is an appropriate age for young people to allow for the maturity needed for young people engaging in sexual activity” she said.
“However we would say that the arguments and rationale being put forward for lowering the age at this point certainly does warrant further discussion” she added.

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