The Sex Law Debate Descends into New Level of Futility.

national | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Tuesday June 20, 2006 20:02

by Chris Murray - The Unmanageables

Wherein Minister of Children Admits he is Bound.

Today Conor Lenihan , Minister of Children , who was vaguely
absent , the weeks of the constitutional crisis provoked by the release of Mr A by Ms Justice Mary Laffoy admitted to reporters
that he would listen to young people regarding the age of consent.
This was followed by a worthy statement, wherein he said that
though he would listen, the final decision on age of consent
rested with the deputies( one presumes in the Dail) and not with
the views of the people they hope to question on their sexual habits.

The expression used was not " bound" by, but seeking your opinion.

Aside from the puerility of the statement and it's subtle S+ M undertones, the question still remains, why the government
would be interested in young people because they do
not have the vote.

The sex-law fiasco began with the release of A, followed by
the debate on emergency legislation, Mr Mc Dowell failed
to address the issue of statutory rape, retaining the "Honest
belief" defence and managed a new insertion:

The Absurdity of section 5:

This means that a man can be criminalised for getting his
girlfriend pregnant, even if she consented.
A woman can be criminalised for all sex acts except for
full penetrative sex.

No distinction was made between consenting teenagers and
child rape, with the defence of honest belief. Mr A, by the
way admitted he knew the girl's age.

The British are currently rushing through sex-law legislation
in the shadow of a paedophile case.

Links to the story;

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76272
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76338
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76365
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76381
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76407
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76413

Please be wary of clipboards and rulers in the run-up
to what promises to be an interesting survey. If you get
asked send a copy to Indymedia.