Lisa McDonald (Fianna Fail)

I do not mean to be difficult but I also do not wish to be a "yes" person. The Minister of State said he would welcome a public debate on prostitution. We will not get the legislation right to stop trafficking of persons, be they non-national or national, and the abuse that surrounds prostitution unless we address the issue. The debate needs to follow immediately after this discussion in some form.

Prostitution is underground. Since 1993 there has been an explosive increase in the number of hotels and apartments used for this purpose. The world is different, the Internet is easily accessible and mobile telephones are used. The 1993 Act does not reflect today's reality. It would be easy for me to find five or six women to support me.

Who are we protecting? Women comprise 13% of the membership of the Oireachtas. Were 87% of Members female and 13% male, the criminalisation of sexual services would be on the Statute Book.