Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Freedman. I have discussed this with him before and I do not accept quite a number of his basic premises, particularly the idea that because prostitution has always existed in society we should somehow be persuaded against criminalising the purchase of sex. All sorts of human behaviour has been around for a long time but it does not stop us from seeking to regulate, restrict or prohibit it where we feel harm is being done.

Dr. Freedman said he did not think it was a good idea to criminalise the client exclusively, but under the 1993 Act, although the purchase of sex is not an offence, clients are criminalised in other ways. Doras Luimní will make a presentation on the targeting of clients by the gardaí in various operations they have had, notably in Limerick but elsewhere too. That is already there. Is Dr. Freedman's objection to the exclusive criminalisation of the client?