Rónán Mullen (Independent)

We shall agree, honourably, to disagree. I want to put on record that the people in Ruhama, with whom I have a lot of contact, have paid close attention to this issue. They are much better informed than I am and, I dare say, than the Minister of State, about the complexities of this issue, as they have been tracking it for many years.

Some 15 years have passed since we last had legislation in this area. The climate has changed enormously, but we have not seen any significant evidence of Government attentiveness to the shifting situation with regard to the sex industry. There is no denying that. However, the people in Ruhama who accompany women in prostitution and would do nothing to put them in danger are clear that they seek legislation that would criminalise the users. They are to be applauded for that. Admittedly there are people with other points of view. They are entitled to their point of view and their points of view must be heard, but this does not mean that they should carry the day, particularly when put against the views of dedicated, diligent and careful people involved in the accompaniment of persons in prostitution who would do nothing to put them at risk.

These people are supported in their view by members of the Garda Síochána who have worked in tackling the sex industry. Some of these take the view that not only would persons in prostitution not be endangered by criminalising the users, but that this would be a very desirable measure in bringing down the number of persons involved in prostitution by discouraging potential users and thereby making the country a colder house for traffickers. That would be a good thing and I look forward to the day we bring that situation about in the law.