Tag Archives: Minister for Justice

The publication of the Heads of the Sexual Offences Bill, which criminalises the purchase of sex, has receive the seal of approval of Councillor Mary Howard, a long time campaigner on the issue. Councilllor Howard said, “I warmly welcome the publication of a Bill, which will target the source of the demand for the sex trade.” The Cabinet has given the go ahead to Minister For Justice, Frances Fitzgerald to prepare the necessary legislation. Ms Howard is a stong supporter of TORL (Turn Off The Red Light). TORL is made up of Irish Civil Society Organisations, trade unions, NGOs and individuals working together to raise awareness about the damage of prostitution and sex trafficking, and lobby the Government to legislate to put an end to the exploitation of women and children in the Irish sex industry.

Alan Shatter has resigned from his position as Minister for Justice, causing quite a rumble in the Fine Gael/Labour Government. The Taoiseach Enda Kenny confirmed this in the Dáil a short time ago.  The resignation, the Taoiseach said, came after getting the report of Seán Guerin into Sergeant Maurice McCabe’s allegations. Mr Shatter has taken responsibility for it since the report is critical of the Department of Justice as well as a number of other agencies. This development unfolds as  Mick Wallace considers legal action against Mr Shatter after the Data Protection Commissioner last night found that the former Justice Minister broke the law last year with comments about the independent TD.