Appropriate action in the EU is needed so as to: 1) draw consumers away from unregulated and potentially harmful offers, 2) protect minors from accessing gambling facilities, 3) safeguard other vulnerable groups and 4) prevent the development of gambling-related disorders[18].

One last point: there was uproar in 2006 when the Irish Supreme Court struck down the law on statutory rape on the basis that it did not allow an accused individual to enter the defence of honest mistake over a victim’s age.

First of all, I must mention that raising the age of consent does not change the “enticement of a minor” provisions, which prohibit all adults in a position of authority from having sexual relations with a minor under 18.

The events that have taken place over these last two years, such as the tragic deaths of Moroccan and sub-Saharan citizens in the Straits of Gibraltar and off the Andalusian coast, the death of immigrants in Dover or the recent incidents in Ireland, the repugnant traffic in, and corruption of, minors, and prostitution, combined with the horrific murders committed by ETA and the tragedy of 11 September, have caused an upheaval in the debate and have accelerated the need for the speedy implementation of measures to cope with such a dangerous and worrying situation.

its emphasis on the need for free elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council and the Presidency of the Palestinian Authority, and agrees with the European Council that reform of the Palestinian Authority is essential for the creation of a democratic, viable, peaceful and sovereign State of Palestine, on the basis of the 1967 borders, if necessary with minor adjustments agreed by the parties, and points out that the future authorities, legitimately elected by the Palestinian people, have to show and act with their clear determination to fight against terrorism and corruption and, in particular, to prevent the alleged diversion of EU ...[+++] aid to sustain terrorist activities;