Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien in welcoming today's debate on the motions concerning the banking inquiry. As he said, we have had a series of lengthy meetings at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to debate the shape and format of the motions. I very much welcome the fact that we are now at this stage and are having this debate which, as the Leader said, is open-ended. It will ensure anyone who wishes to speak can do so.

I welcome the announcement by the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, of new measures concerning discretionary medical cards. That will give people certainty and clarity on their entitlements in this regard.

I also wish to welcome an announcement in today's newspapers that the Cabinet yesterday agreed a significant change in our law on prostitution. It is a change that I and many others in this House have been seeking for some time. In its report last year on prostitution law, the Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality unanimously recommended that the purchase of sex should be criminalised, but not the sale. I note that today's newspaper report said this was agreed at Cabinet yesterday and would be introduced as part of an overarching sex offences code and reform of sex offences law to be introduced this week by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. I commend her on undertaking this move. This historic announcement means that Ireland is moving forward on prostitution law reform in line with reforms that are being introduced in many other countries. They were first introduced in Sweden, then Norway and Iceland, and most recently in Canada. In addition, the Northern Ireland Assembly has voted for this change, as has the French National Assembly.

It seems to have greater effectiveness in tackling the demand for prostitution and in ensuring a reduction in the exploitation of women, particularly migrant women who make up such a large proportion of those engaged in prostitution in Ireland. I really welcome this move therefore.

Finally, I wish to welcome Miriam Lord to the Public Gallery.