David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are starting hearings on the review of legislation on prostitution in Ireland. The purpose of today’s meeting is to have discussions with some of those who have made written submissions on the review of legislation on prostitution in Ireland. This is the first such day of hearings. We will probably have at least two more, if not more. As we have a large number of organisations with us today we will hear from them in groups of three.

I thank everybody for giving of his or her time to come to the meeting and providing submissions on this important topic. In group one I welcome from the Irish Medical Organisation Dr. Matthew Sadlier, vice president, and Ms Vanessa Hetherington, senior policy executive; from the National Women's Council of Ireland Ms Orla O'Connor, director, and Ms Jacqueline Healy, women's health and human rights worker; from Trinity College Dublin Dr. Gillian Wylie, and from the National University of Ireland, Galway Dr. Eilis Ward. The format is that each group will make a short opening statement. As we have received the submissions, there is no need to go through them. Perhaps they might keep the opening statements to five minutes, in which they can make the necessary bullet points. I realise time is short, but over 800 organisations and individuals have made presentations. As a result, time is very tight. There will then be a question and answer session with members. As there is a lead questioner, one member will engage with one organisation. Not every organisation will be subject to that arrangement, but most will.

Before we begin, I draw attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite the IMO representative to make an opening statement.