Ms Monica O'Connor:

I have spent my life working on issues similar to those outlined by the Deputy. I agree with him that this is not a simple matter but I will give two brief answers.

There are between 40 to 60 young women on the streets in Dublin because of drug related issues. Unfortunately, it has not been mentioned that 90% of prostitution is conducted indoors and the prostitutes are young migrant women. Their level of drug abuse is quite different and includes prescription drugs, cocaine and other forms of drugs. Drugs are still involved but prostitution is less visible. Prostitution does not solve the issues of poverty, drug addiction and migrant women but exacerbates them. The more young women who are in prostitution then the more drugs will be used. Recently I interviewed women and I witnessed their gradual deterioration because they took more and more drugs to cope with what they had to do and they have quickly spiralled out of control. I agree with the Deputy that there is a need for services, especially the provision of health services for the women who will speak about drugs and all of those issues at the next session.

I passionately support the providing young men and women with education on sexuality. By criminalising demand one would create a norm and provide an opportunity to discuss sexual consent and what consensual adult sex is. It is not about the purchase, objectification and commodification of young girls. My son travelled with a Swedish friend and he said that it was interesting that we have forgotten that in Sweden the criminalisation of prostitution was accompanied by a lot of education on how to perceive sexuality and young people participated in programmes about sexual consent. It would be helpful if people could see that the issues are not mutually exclusive. Imposing a penalty here would be a strong message by the Government that we do not accept that this set of girls are available for sale. This approach would present a real opportunity for a wider discussion.

I referred to the issue of drink driving. If we as a society state that something is not acceptable, attitudes change. Normative behaviour has much to do with what we have decided is acceptable. I have worked in the areas that have been mentioned and I was a teacher. The issues in question go hand in hand. Introducing legislation would present an opportunity for a debate.