Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

We need to get such legislation right. I referred to the British example, as Senator Mullen referred to Britain as being our near neighbour. Britain is involved in a consultation process. I am speaking in a personal capacity in stating that the issue of prostitution in the context of widening and improving our laws has not been discussed in government since I took office. We want to implement this Bill as quickly as possible. The issue of prostitution referred to is wider than the scope of this Bill. It is an issue on which widespread consultation and deliberation would be required. We need to get such legislation right to ensure we do not implement legislation that would make the position worse. We want to avoid that. Whenever legislation is introduced, we want to ensure it deals with the issues we want to address. Even if we wanted to widen this measure, as outlined in Senator Mullen's amendment, such a change would have to be referred back to Government. Of necessity, such a measure would require widespread consultation, not an ever-ending consultative process but one that would ensure we got the desired result.

I responded earlier that I would not be accepting the amendment.