Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I am not sure what Senator Walsh is talking about. I asked the Leader for a follow up debate in six months' time on prostitution law with the Minister, Deputy Shatter, or the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to follow up on the commitment the Minister of State gave last night that the Government would spend the next six months engaged in public consultation on the introduction of a prostitution law similar to that introduced in Sweden and Norway in which the purchase of sex is a criminal offence.

We had a very good and a very informed debate in this House with a full visitors Gallery. There is huge interest in this issue and it is extremely welcome that the Government has given a commitment to spend the next six months engaged in a meaningful dialogue with the many interest groups and individuals who are concerned about this issue. It is important that the Minister of State, or even the Minister, come to the House in six months' time to explain the progress made and outline the Government plans for legislation. It is an extremely important request to the Leader.