The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, has vowed to close any legal loophole that could prevent people from being charged with soliciting children for sex.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte told the Dáil this morning that he had received legal advice that there was no specific law outlawing such activity.
His comments come as gardaí in Dublin investigate allegations that a number of adults paid to have sex with a 14-year-old boy via a gay website.
Mr McDowell said this afternoon that he was checking the existing law to assess the situation and would introduce new legislation if Mr Rabbitte was proved to be correct.