Fitzgerald calls for new measures to tackle revenge porn

The Government must introduce measures to tackle revenge porn, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has said.

Speaking at a conference in Belfast, Ms Fitzgerald said Ireland had a long way to go in addressing gender inequality.

The Tánaiste said the Government had a vital role in this area and the development of a renewed women’s strategy was essential.

“My ambition for the new strategy is that it should speak to the society of today and target the barriers to women’s achievement of their full potential and their enjoyment of equality with men.

“I also think that the strategy will need to address emerging issues such as revenge porn and body shaming. The strategy will have to work for women across all ages, classes and situations.”

Ms Fitzgerald said the area of justice was an example of the success of women in leadership roles.

She pointed to the appointment of women to the position of Garda Commissioner, Director of Public Prosecutions and Attorney General.

The Minister said the task now is to ensure this is not a “convenient coincidence, but rather a hint of the future”. However, she did criticise the lack of female representation in Irish politics.

Ms Fitzgerald said the introduction of gender quotas had improved the situation but more needed to be done.