Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I echo what Senator Bacik said about the launch of the Ruhama report yesterday. I know people are very busy and Irish Water is a very important topic but I was disappointed that only two Oireachtas Members attended the launch of this fundamental issue of human rights. Irish Water is an important issue but the way women in prostitution are treated and trafficked into this country is a much more fundamental issue. The launch was held down the road in the Alexander Hotel and there was no excuse for there not being a higher number of Oireachtas Members in attendance. Having echoed my disappointment about that, I commend Ruhama on the amazing work it has done during the past 25 years. I have no doubt it has saved the lives of many women and has helped many women get out of prostitution. It is my contention and the contention of studies internationally that no woman enters prostitution as a free choice. It is always due to circumstances that are outside that person's control.

Unfortunately, the end result is drug abuse, violence and, in too many cases, young ladies losing their lives.

With this in mind, it is appropriate that the House should debate Ruhama's report and the work it has done for the past 25 years in order to put pressure on the Minister for Justice and Equality to introduce the legislation recommended by the justice committee that would criminalise the users of prostitution and decriminalise the unfortunate people who find themselves in prostitution. The committee published a ground-breaking report, but it has been sitting on the Minister's desk. I do not doubt her honour or integrity but, through circumstances outside her control, the lifetime of the Government might not be as long as we would like it to be. This issue needs to be addressed urgently.