Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would rather not leave the Chief Whip out of the debate.

I strongly believe that we need to be real about this. People should read the joint Oireachtas committee's report on this legislation. Joint Oireachtas committees undertake fantastic work in the area of pre-legislative scrutiny. Some of the most affecting people I have met in my time are the Irish woman who survived prostitution. They were so affecting when they came before our committee and revealed their stories to us. One has written a book that everyone should read, especially those who want an insight into what is happening in Ireland. Rachel Moran is in the Gallery today and I wish to acknowledge her presence. Rachel's book is called Paid Forand is now internationally recognised, I hope, as a document that people can read to learn how a young person can find herself in a terrible situation through no fault of her own. It came about as a result of the fact that she came from circumstances where, perhaps, there was no adult supervision. Sometimes people are incapable of looking after themselves and their children and can wind up homeless and on the street in the wrong company. They can then be encouraged or duped into believing that prostitution is a way they can survive on the street. The testimony of these women on how they wound up becoming involved in alcohol or drug addiction to help cope with the horrors of the lives they were living is extraordinary. People need to read this testimony and they should not forget the media glamorisation arising from certain films, books or terminology. This is about the reality of the horrible lives these poor women have had to endure. It applies to young men also because there is an appetite for the young male body as well. It is usually men who require it. This is what we really need to be talking about. This is the reality of these people's lives.

I have listened to their testimonies and to the views of those in the Garda anti-human trafficking unit. People should read the reports of the unit and examine the cases with which it is dealing. One recent report referred to a man who was prosecuted for using a five-year-old child to create pornography. That is disgraceful, appalling and abhorrent, and it is happening in our country. The report of the Garda anti human trafficking unit sets out not only how children and young women are being used for sexual exploitation but also for the exploitation of domestic work. Exploitation is across the board and we need to be realistic. We need to be sensible about all of this.

This Bill attempts to help to regulate an industry that is rooted in criminality. Let us face it: we must call a spade a spade. That is the reality. I strongly believe this is the right thing to do. We need to listen to the people who have gone through such awful times in their lives. They have survived and have something to say about it. I commend them on their bravery. Guess what? They are speaking out. Certain people do not want them to be heard and efforts are made to discredit them. I am keen to acknowledge and compliment them. Furthermore, I wish to acknowledge that the last Government published this Bill and this Government is determined to see it through. This Bill is timely and is something we need to move on with haste.

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