Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for the amendment. It proposes to increase the penalty for the organisation of prostitution. The Minister supports the aim of the Senators' proposal. There have been calls to review the existing penalties for offences relating to prostitution. The Minister has concerns over some penalties in this area, for example, the maximum penalty for living on the earnings of prostitution of another person, pimping, is only a maximum of six months imprisonment. The Minister has asked for a review of the penalties for all offences relating to prostitution. On Report Stage the Minister will be increasing the penalty for loitering and she will bring forward other amendments where a forum is appropriate.