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The [[Age of consent|ages of consent]] vary by jurisdiction across [[Europe]]. The ages of consent – hereby meaning the age from which one is deemed able to consent to having sex with anyone else of consenting age or above – are between 12 and 18. The vast majority of countries set their ages in the range of 14 to 16; only four countries, [[Cyprus]] (17),
The highlighted age is that from which a young person can lawfully engage in a non-commercial sexual act with an older person, regardless of their age difference. If a participant in a sexual act is under 18 but above the age of consent then sexual acts with another person who is at or over the age of consent may still be illegal if the older participant is in a position of authority over the younger person. For example, a teacher and their student or someone in the police. Commercial sex/prostitution requires all those involved to be 18 or older. Sexual acts may not be legal if those engaging are blood relatives, regardless of age, though the [[legality of incest]] varies between European countries.
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==Ireland==
The age of consent in
Relevant offences are found in the ''Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017'', which amended the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/act/2/enacted/en/html|title=electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB)|website=www.irishstatutebook.ie|access-date=15 March 2018}}</ref> Sentences are longer for offences on children under 15, for repeat offences and where the offender is an authority-figure such as a close relative or teacher. In the case of offences with children aged 15 and 16, the relevant statute, ''Sexual act with child under 17 years of age'', provides that "8) Where, in proceedings for an offence under this section against a child who at the time of the alleged commission of the offence had attained the age of 15 years but was under the age of 17 years, it shall be a defence that the child consented to the sexual act of which the offence consisted where the defendant—(a) is younger or less than 2 years older than the child,(b) was not, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, a person in authority in respect of the child, and (c) was not, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, in a relationship with the child that was intimidatory or exploitative of the child."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/act/2/section/17/enacted/en/html#sec17|title=Sexual act with child under 17 years of age|website=www.irishstatutebook.ie|access-date=15 March 2018}}</ref>
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