Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am still blown away by that story about William Wilberforce, with which I was not familiar. I join with others in congratulating all the students on a really good presentation that was clear, insightful and full of useful ideas. It is very good to hear, as this is an area of great interest to this committee. Members reported last year on the issue of prostitution and of course as the witnesses pointed out, trafficking and prostitution have a very strong linkage. The joint committee's report argues specifically that demand should be tackled through criminalising the purchase of sexual services, which itself would have a knock-on effect in reducing the extent of trafficking. Consequently, members are very interested in this area and I thank the students for this presentation. I absolutely support the proposal that the report should be referred on to the Minister for Justice and Equality.

I am glad to hear the students are visiting Trinity. I am a Senator for Trinity, for Dublin University, and I hope we will see the witnesses back in Trinity as students in the not-too-distant future. The students have all-----