New legislation is to give greater protection to children against sexual and labour exploitation, it emerged tonight.
The Criminal Law (Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Offences) Bill 2006 was approved by the Cabinet at its weekly meeting today.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said the new laws will introduce specific offences of trafficking persons into Ireland for sexual or labour exploitation.
The provisions also include severe penalties for trafficking for the purpose of harvesting human organs. The legislation takes into account the use of modern technology such as the internet in the sexual grooming of children.
It also provides more protection to children against paedophiles who offer inducements to them to engage in sexual acts.
Mr McDowell said: "The proposals are the latest chapter in a strategy in providing comprehensive protection under the criminal law to persons, in particular children and other vulnerable persons, against sexual abuse and attack.
"If any recommendations arise from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Child Protection which require further legislation for the protection of children these can be incorporated into the Bill once they are approved by Government."
Previous legislation in this area was contained in the Sex Offenders Act 2001.
The Bill complies with EU directives on combating trafficking in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography.
Mr McDowell added: "Three other international instruments have also been taken into consideration - the Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, supplementing the UN Convention against Trans-national Organised Crime; the Council of Europe Convention against trafficking in human beings, and the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography."