Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Wallace for his question. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 is currently before the Seanad and will be coming before this House in due course, when I have no doubt that we will have a full opportunity to debate this issue. Clearly, there are different views on the management and handling of these issues and we will have an opportunity to discuss them. I do not want to prejudge the debate but I am sure it will be an interesting one. The debate has already started in Seanad Éireann.

The proposals in the legislation have been developed following extensive consultation, initiated by my Department, dating back to 2012. The new offences implement the recommendation of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence which called for the introduction of an offence criminalising the purchase of sexual services. The purpose of introducing these provisions is primarily to target the trafficking, which is very extensive, and sexual exploitation of persons through prostitution. There is a very strong association between the trafficking of young women and girls into this country and prostitution and this legislation is targeting that situation.

I have considered all sides of the debate and my Department has examined the research. We have engaged in extensive consultation and there is very successful implementation and research to prove it. I have met people who have been involved in the implementation of similar legislation in Sweden. I have also met the rapporteur who completed an extensive report on the issue in Sweden. She visited Ireland recently and addressed a seminar on the matter. Both the Council of Europe and the European Parliament have made recommendations in this regard too. On the basis of that research I have decided that this legislation is the way to go forward. We need to combat trafficking and its drivers, as I am sure Deputy Wallace will agree. There is a lot of evidence of wider exploitation of persons involved in prostitution, outside of those trafficked, such as those coerced or otherwise forced through circumstances, to engage in it.

I accept the point the Deputy makes about the vulnerability of sex workers which is why I have increased the funding for organisations working directly with them.

Interestingly, these organisations also recommended this type of legislation. For example, Ruhama, the group which has done most of the work in this area, recommended and strongly supports the actions I am taking in the Bill. I agree with the Deputy on the issue of vulnerability and the need for additional action and work to support women who wish to exit prostitution.

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