Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the calls made by Senators Bacik and Zappone earlier, and that made by Senator Power last week, for a debate on homophobia. Last Saturday night, Rory O'Neill - also known as Panti - made an extraordinary statement from the stage of the Abbey Theatre which, as of today, has amassed 80,000 views on YouTube. However, the national broadcaster and other broadcasters are afraid to show the footage of the event. Rory O'Neill did not mention any names when bearing witness in the context of his own experience of oppression but the fear remains among broadcasters and other media outlets in the context of disseminating his comments more widely. Thank God for social media in this instance because it allows for witness to be borne with regard to oppression. Rory O'Neill suggests that we are all a little bit homophobic. I would include myself in that regard. We must be aware of our use of language, in the context of how it can undermine and cheapen relationships, and of the need for respect. I call on the Leader to accede to the calls from colleagues for a debate on homophobia.

On 12 October 2011 and 18 April 2012, our group brought forward Private Members' motions on the connection between human trafficking and prostitution. On 27 June 2013, the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality recommended the introduction of a law to ban the purchase of sexual services. The Chairman of the joint committee, Deputy Stanton, stated:

The Committee finds persuasive the evidence it has heard on the reduction of demand for prostitution in Sweden since the introduction of the ban on buying sex in 1999. It concludes that such a reduction in demand will lessen the incidence of harms associated with prostitution and – particularly in view of the predominance of migrant women in prostitution in Ireland...