Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I add my thanks to Deputy Cian O'Callaghan and the Social Democrats for bringing forward this Bill. The fact we need to legislate in 2022 to introduce a specific criminal offence for the practice of seeking sex in lieu of rent is absolutely shocking. The housing crisis has left many people vulnerable to poverty, homelessness and living in substandard accommodation. However, that some landlords are demanding sex in lieu of rent is an all-time low. It is totally unacceptable. People who have a desperate housing need and are in a vulnerable position could be seriously exploited.

As a society, we must do everything possible to protect these vulnerable people. We have seen reports in the Irish Examinerof landlords advertising rooms openly in exchange for sexual favours. One advertisement was for a shared house in Limerick, with the landlord seeking a single lady "with a twist" and stating, "Can do reduced rent for occasional fun". The only thing with a twist is that person's twisted mind. When contacted by a prospective tenant, the landlord made it clear that sexual activity was required on a weekly basis in return for rent of €200 for the first month and €250 per month thereafter. This is absolutely abhorrent behaviour and it cannot be tolerated. Every effort must be made to make it impossible for these scumbags, which is exactly what they are, to operate.

Legislation is required to outlaw this behaviour. Tough sentences must be handed down to anyone convicted of such offences. As it stands, advertising platforms are displaying advertisements such as the following, as reported by the Irish Examiner: "Hey currently have a room to rent... not looking to rent for cash but instead a fwb [friends with benefits] situation. Strictly applies to females, no males will be considered." Any platforms hosting such sex for rent advertisements must face serious fines. These platforms need to be held accountable for providing a space that allows predators to operate. Situations like these must not happen again. Unfortunately, this practice is a window into the underbelly of our society, the imbalance in gender relations, particularly as they impact on vulnerable women, and the predatory behaviour of certain persons.

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