Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to contribute on this new legislation. I thank and commend my colleague, Deputy Pringle, on introducing it. I welcome his great efforts on the important issue of the exploitation of women and men, which is the focus of this debate. Let there be no doubt - it is women, young girls and boys who are being exploited.

It gets up my nose when I hear some politicians and Senators expressing reservations about the legislation. It also gets up my nose when I hear wind-bag Senators say at meetings in the AV room that they do not know whether they can support the legislation. One is either against exploitation or one is not. That is what Deputy Pringle’s Bill is about. He is trying to protect young, vulnerable women and young teenage girls and boys from exploitation and to deal with human trafficking. This is not a time for fudge or sitting on the fence. It is a time to stand up and support the legislation introduced by Deputy Pringle.

I am also a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. I have listened to the debate in committee meetings and participated in it. I am convinced that the Bill will assist in ending the sex exploitation and trafficking industry. It is a human rights issue. It is also about compassion, care and trying to protect human beings. There can be no ifs or buts. If one meets the people – sex workers - involved in the so-called industry, and looks into their eyes one sees hurt, damage and vulnerability. I reject the terms "sex worker" and "sex industry". I have met many of such people who come from a situation of exploitation, poverty and dysfunctional families. Many of them end up on the streets. It is important to listen to the detailed research available on the issue. None of those involved want to do what they do.

It gets my goat when middle class pimps go on television, and also in particular women, and say it is an issue of choice. For the vast majority of those people it is exploitation. I do not come to the debate from a moral or ethical perspective. I respect all morals and values, different religions and faiths. It is important that we have a pluralist country that allows for that. Certain issues of human rights and exploitation span religions and faiths. I respect that everyone has his or her own moral and ethical views. However, one must take a stand when one sees vulnerable people being exploited.

I strongly support the Turn Off the Red Light campaign. It involves 68 organisations representing many facets of society. It has the support of the ICTU, Chambers Ireland, nursing organisations, doctors’ organisations, Macra na Feirme, the ICA, and survivors of prostitution as well as community and human rights groups across the country. It also has the support of four of the largest political parties and many Independent Deputies such as me. That is important because those people are anchored in every single parish and community around the State.

Organised crime lies behind the sex trade and the best way to end it is to target demand. I accept that, historically, prostitution has always existed. However, that does not mean one cannot try to do something to protect people. Some days approximately 800 women are exploited in this country. That has been highlighted by “Prime Time” and the Turn Off the Red Light campaign. In general, a couple of hundred people are exploited every single day in this country. The sex trade is organised by criminals. The Immigrant Council of Ireland has supported 50 women who were victims of trafficking who now have independent lives. We must deal with the issue and face up to reality. I strongly disagree with those who say it is safer to regularise prostitution. The experience in Amsterdam has shown over more than a decade that instead of offering protection to women the city has become a hub for human trafficking in Europe. Police in Amsterdam say that almost half of all legal brothel managers have a criminal record and their activity is a front for other criminal activity. That is the reality on the ground. The Dutch are now trying to row back on their failed laws. What is perhaps most alarming is the admission that regularisation did not prevent the use of underage girls. The fact has forced a complete rethink of the legal age for prostitution which has been raised to 21. Let us imagine how we would feel if a teenager aged 14, 15 or 16 years old involved in the sex trade was a brother, sister or neighbour’s child coming from a poor or dysfunctional background who is in crisis and on the street as a prostitute. It is an appalling vista.

I call on those Senators and Deputies who have problems with the legislation to wake up and look at the facts. Most people know that we must try to do something about the issue. The prosecution of buyers of sexual services is an important aspect of the legislation. Some say that will force the industry underground but it is already underground and on the Internet. We accept that is the reality. The argument is also used about AIDS and other health issues. We must face the reality of the crisis that exists and that people are being exploited. It is not acceptable.

Sex trafficking exists in this country, as it does in every European country. It is horrific when one thinks about it. That is confirmed by the OSCE, the European Commission, the annual Trafficking in Persons report by the US State Department and Department of Justice and Equality figures. According to the Department, between 2008 and 2011, a total of 134 adults were trafficked for sexual exploitation, in addition to 32 children. That is the tip of the iceberg as the problem is no doubt more extensive than that. Most of those people go underground and they do not get detected. I strongly support the view of the Immigrant Council of Ireland that the statistics do not give the full picture. The OSCE and the US State Department have identified Ireland as falling short in identifying victims of trafficking. The fact that 134 adults and 32 children have been trafficked is a good reason for strongly supporting the legislation. I commend my colleague, Deputy Pringle, on introducing this excellent legislation. Everyone, across all parties, should support it. The Bill is sensible and stands up for vulnerable and exploited people. We all have a statutory duty to do something about that.

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