Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour) | Oireachtas source

To be honest, as a woman I am a little disturbed by what Dr. Whitaker has been saying. Every woman for herself and I realise Senator White has her own view on it, but I have not come across many women who would admit to allowing a stranger use their body for sex and being happy about it. I had not intended to speak but when listening to Dr. Whitaker's presentation it sounded as if she was talking about an organisation of nannies or the like. Two things came to mind, and I am quite upset and angry about it. First, the film "Pretty Woman" came to mind. It conveyed the image of happy sex workers. The second film that came to mind was "Mary Poppins". I am not attacking or insulting Dr. Whitaker personally but what she is saying does not fit well with me as a woman. She is saying that these women are perfectly happy to go out and do this job and that they are entitled to work. Of course, they are entitled to work and to be a sex worker if that is what they wish to do. However, do not tell me that they are happy about it.