Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am talking about the amendment. We are bringing in an amendment to decriminalise the women, and men in some cases if they are involved in prostitution, and to criminalise the buyers. What extra resources will be made available for that?

I would like to flag another issue. Some of the women involved in prostitution have been trafficked here. Some of them do not have a visa status that supports them working here. If they make a report to the Garda, can we ensure they will not be criminalised for their visa status? Can we ensure the primary issue will be the health and well-being of the woman or man who is in prostitution and wants to get out of it? A very important balance needs to be struck within a competing set of rights. We might come back to that point. I welcome this legislation. I have been getting e-mails from people in Galway and elsewhere in the country for at least two years, and maybe three or more years, looking for it to be introduced. I am glad it is happening during the course of the term of the Government and before Christmas.