Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Freedman for his presentation. He brought a different perspective to the debate when he outlined what motivates the clients of sex workers.

As Oireachtas Members, we have been lobbied and received many representations on this subject. Obviously we have received representations from organisations who work on the front line with prostitutes and sex workers. We have also had representations from immigrant groups, women's groups, domestic violence groups and trade unions. All of them have asked us to understand that it is unacceptable for a man to purchase the services of a woman, that it is exploitative, and that it cannot be described as work under any international definition of work. Dr. Freedman gave a compassionate assessment of what motivates individuals. In contrast, according to the organisations I listed, sex work is a cause of profound injustice and exploitation and is a global challenge for all parliamentarians and societies. What are Dr. Freedman's thoughts on the matter?

My understanding of the Swedish model, although I may be wrong, is that where a man - or a woman, which happens in much rarer circumstances - is caught purchasing sex, he or she has the option to make an admission and receive a fine, thus avoiding court. Therefore, the name-and-shame element or disruption of the family does not happen. Only one case has ever gone to court and the rest made an admission and received a fine.

There is another aspect. When we met practitioners such as the police and social services, particularly the latter, their approach was to offer men assistance with what they defined as a problem in the form of counselling. This was to ensure that the client, who is almost always a man, can understand why he needed to avail of the services of a sex worker. What does Dr. Freedman think of both issues?