<p>
	At present it is a criminal offence for a person to conduct such a relationship with someone with an intellectual disability.</p>
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	An Irish charity is calling for the repeal of a law which bans people with intellectual disabilities from having sexual relationships.</p>
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	A new Bill dealing with the subject, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015, is set for second stage discussion in D&aacute;il &Eacute;ireann tomorrow.</p>
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	Section 20 of the new bill, if passed, will repeal a ban which prevents a person from engaging in a sexual relationship with someone with an intellectual disability.</p>
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<p>
	That rule has been enshrined in Irish law since 1993. It specifically criminalises such relationships, with the ban &ldquo;based on the existence of a disability and no other criteria&rdquo;, according to disability charity Rehab which is calling for the Bill to be approved without &ldquo;unnecessary delay&rdquo;.</p>
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	The charity has described the existence of the law as an example of &ldquo;glaring inequality&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;The existing law in Ireland creates a situation where people with intellectual disabilities are often neither supported nor encouraged to look for a romantic life partner, which is a normal part of life for everyone else,&rdquo; the charity said in a statement ahead of the D&aacute;il debate.</p>
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	The current Criminal Justice bill designates someone with intellectual disabilities as a &lsquo;protected person&rsquo;, as an acknowledgement of the difference of ability such a person has in making decisions about their lives.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
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	&ldquo;Greater equality&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	Rehab says that significant strides have been made since the passing of the 1993 bill to &ldquo;establish people with disabilities as citizens with equal rights&rdquo;, and that it is &ldquo;now time for similar equality to be given to people in relation to sexual relationships&rdquo;.</p>
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<p>
	&ldquo;The proposed new laws will create greater equality for people with disabilities in their sexual and romantic lives,&rdquo; says Kathleen O&rsquo;Meara of Rehab.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
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	&ldquo;Often the existing legislation has prevented people engaging in any type of romantic relationship.&rdquo;</p>
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<p>
	&ldquo;This legislation is now urgent. It will provide greater opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities to assert their human right to marry and to found a family.&rdquo;</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 will be discussed in D&aacute;il &Eacute;ireann from 6.30pm tomorrow evening.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by TheJournal.ie on the 4th October 2016)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/sexual-relationship-intellectual-disabilities-3010011-Oct2016/">http://www.thejournal.ie/sexual-relationship-intellectual-disabilities-3010011-Oct2016/</a></p>
