Teenagers are to be consulted by the Government about their views on the age of consent and other matters relating to sexual activity as part of a national debate on the issue, writes Carl O'Brien, Social Affairs Correspondent
The Office of the Minister for Children is expected to seek the views of 14 to 18-year-olds from a range of backgrounds on the issue.
It is understood children as young as 12 may be involved in the consultation process.
However, no final decision has been made on the consultation process.
Legislation rushed through the Dáil at the height of the political controversy surrounding the Government's handling of the statutory rape law this month raised the age of consent to 17 years.
The new law treats girls and boys differently by exempting girls under 17 from criminal prosecution to avoid stigmatising young teenage mothers. However, boys under 17 face criminal prosecution.
The consultation will take place in tandem with all-party Oireachtas committee hearings later this year which are expected to debate issues arising from the striking down of the statutory rape law.
Making the announcement on plans to consult teenagers yesterday, Minister for Children Brian Lenihan said scant attention had been paid to the views of teenage boys and girls over what they would consider an appropriate age for sexual activity.
"Yet this is an issue that affects their lives more than any of those whose views have been aired on this matter.
"I believe it is important that their voice is heard, and that they have a meaningful input into this national debate," he said.
The move was welcomed by children's charity Barnardos and the National Youth Council of Ireland, who said empowering children to speak on issues that impact on their lives was a key element of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The consultation process is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Mr Lenihan said the Government had not ruled out amending the law relating to the age of consent prior to the next general election.
The Government also approved yesterday the appointment of two independent legal experts whose job will be to report annually on how new laws and court proceedings may impact on child protection.
Prof Finbarr McAuley of UCD and solicitor Geoffrey Shannon have been appointed as special rapporteurs to audit legal developments for the protection of children.
Their first report is expected early next year.