Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

One of Senator Joe O'Toole's final points asked if there is an offence with regard to the client. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 makes it an offence to solicit in public for the purposes of sex. The prostitute, client, pimp or other third party can commit the offence. If Senators have an opportunity to refer to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993, there are a number of provisions in that Bill regarding issues that have been raised by all Senators who have contributed to the debate on this amendment from Senator Mullen.

The sections refer to soliciting or importuning for purposes of prostitution, loitering for purposes of prostitution, organisation of prostitution, living on earnings of prostitution and brothel keeping.