Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is looking for information on the nature and extent of prostitution connected to human trafficking, including the numbers of arrests and convictions during the period of the first two years. That is a matter in which every Member of this House should be interested. The second point looks for the extent to which, in the opinion of the Minister, this section has operated to reduce human trafficking. That is important because I presume one of the main objectives of the legislation is to reduce prostitution and, therefore, human trafficking and sex slavery. The third item is the impact of the section on the safety and well being of prostitutes. Senator Norris is correct in saying that these requests for information are a barometer, or litmus test, of the genuineness of the legislation and the motivation behind it. I am not querying the motivation behind the legislation but I accept that it is genuine. If it is genuine, I see no reason whatsoever why this amendment would not be accepted and endorsed by the Minister of State. It adds to what has been stated as being the purpose of the Bill. It puts in a check so that the Department and Garda offices are accountable. I hope the Minister of State will have no difficulty accepting this and I divorce the amendment from the manner in which it was introduced. I do not agree with the comments made when the amendment was introduced but I do agree with the wording and intent of the amendment.