Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

It is within the scope available to the Minister. She is the Minister for Justice and Equality. We tabled the amendment because the Minister is bringing in a law aimed at tackling prostitution and the sex industry through criminalising the purchase of sex. However, the Minister is not taking other measures to attempt to reduce the demand for the purchase of sex. We believe it is within the scope of this law. This is the only legislation being brought in to change the laws on prostitution and sex work. However, without this amendment, no attempt is being made to influence change in society. Simply bringing in a law is not going to solve the problem. If this is to be a serious attempt to protect people and to decrease the numbers involved in sex work, the Minister should undertake the measures I have proposed. There should be a discussion about consent, respect and the nature of mutually respectful relationships and so on in the schools and workplaces of our society. I would have thought it was within the scope of the Bill.

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