Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I do not mind getting help to clarify this. At the moment, if I try to secure sexual services I have to be sure that the person is eastern European, and then I know I am committing a crime. However, if I approach someone who has not been trafficked, but is eastern European, then I am safe but a crime may be committed. I thought that under the Constitution there had to be an element of everybody being treated the same. I worry that we might be creating an anomaly. What happens to these trafficked in a couple of years when they might want to become Irish citizens? I wanted to come into the Chamber to say this, because it is relevant to prostitution and to this debate and needs to be aired. It is good that there are at least two females who are prepared to air it, because it is not popular to raise the issue.

I was at a conference in Sweden on drugs a number of years ago, opened by the Queen of Sweden. I went there to listen and learn and I was tackled the moment I sat down with regard to what Ireland was doing about its problem. Members will be happy to know the prostitution issue was not central to that aspect. The key issue at the time was what we were doing about our big drug problem, namely, the alcohol issue. Those at the conference linked alcohol, drugs, prostitution, sex rings and all that together. The whole issue of supply and demand was discussed. I should hate to think we might be creating a difference between one person and another in our legislation. I do not know how this might be overcome. I agree with anyone who is calling for a debate on the issue of domestic sexual violence, sexual bullying and bullying in the workplace. These are issues which might not be directly involved in this debate. However, I am told quite often that not every prostitute is forced into prostitution. They may not be forced into it but, in light of statistics on abused individuals proceeding to abuse, I wonder whether there is a link between those who have been abused and those who enter prostitution. Overtly they are not forced into anything but much of the pressure is covert and below the radar. This is worthy of discussion.

I accept that considerable work has been done in this area and that the legislation is about trafficking per se, but an anomaly is being created whereby one set of rules is being created for one group and a different set for another. I would like to believe this can be addressed at this late stage. If not, I hope this Bill will be followed rapidly with other legislation dealing with the issue. I look forward to a debate on it.