The North Eastern Health Board yesterday postponed the launch of three sex education information booklets for young people which were due to be launched at mid-day in Dundalk.
The joint launch, by the NEHB and the Irish Family Planning Association was postponed, they said, after concern was expressed over the non-inclusion of the legal age of consent for boys in the booklet, 4 Boys.
Following the postponement, the former Taoiseach and Fine Gael TD Mr John Bruton called on elected members to vet the booklets before any publication. He said that the booklets were due for distribution in his constituency.
"The booklet apparently says there is no 'right age' for minors to commence sexual activity while failing to mention the highly relevant fact that for a girl under 17 to have even consensual sex with someone over that age constitutes statutory rape on the other person's part," he said.
In view of the widely reported "X" case, which inter alia involved statutory rape, he said he would have thought that the health board would have considered it necessary to give guidance on the aspect of Irish law to Irish girls and boys.
"I understand the booklet has not even been presented to the elected members of the North Eastern Health Board for approval prior to publication. If elected members of health boards have any role, surely this is the sort of object on which they should have the final say," Mr Bruton said.
Last night, the IFPA chief executive, Ms Catherine Heaney defended the publications and said she was naturally disappointed at the postponement.
"The concentration on one issue in one of the three books is a real shame as there is a lot of information in them for young people about sexuality," she said.
The age of consent was mentioned in one of the other booklets. There was a lot of ignorance among young people about sexual matters even though they were sexually active.
"Our concern is that young people are sexually active but don't have any information which is targeted specifically for them. We have tried to give a comprehensive overview of sexual, physical, emotional and health issues," Ms Heaney said.
As a result of the postponement the booklet will be re-examined and the issue will be considered and addressed by the North Eastern Health Board.