Fitzgerald rows back on lowering age of consent

Minister for Justice believes lowering the age of consent to 16 would encourage human traffickers engaged in prostitution.

Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice and Equality: age of consent will remain at 17. Picture: Feargal Ward

The Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has warned that lowering the age of sexual consent to 16 may increase the trafficking of teenage prostitutes.

She has signalled that the age of consent may be left at 17 in the new sexual offences bill which is due to be published shortly.

This marks a change of approach from her predecessor, Alan Shatter, who was in favour of lowering the age of consent to 16.