Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 628: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will comment on a matter (details supplied) regarding prostitution and drug trafficking here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23012/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that the development of appropriate and effective criminal justice responses to both prostitution and drug trafficking is the focus of ongoing work within my Department and its agencies.

The Garda Síochána Policing Plan for 2011 sets out the commitment of An Garda Síochána to pro-actively target groups and individuals engaged in organised criminal activities, including prostitution and the importation, sale and supply of illegal drugs. To this end, An Garda Síochána is committed to the use of intelligence-led operations and tactics, including those of specialist national units such as the National Bureau of Investigation, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.

The Criminal Assets Bureau is being actively utilised to identify and target funds accumulated by criminals, in order to seize such assets and to deprive them of the profits of their criminal activity. A dedicated unit within the Garda National Drugs Unit has been established to liaise with the Criminal Assets Bureau to particularly target those criminals and criminal groupings believed to be deriving profits and assets from drug-related criminal activity.

This integrated approach adopts best practice in implementing a co-ordinated use of Garda resources and using available criminal legislation to its fullest extent.

In addition, relevant Garda operations, such as operation 'Quest' which encompasses all Garda action against organised prostitution within the State, are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure their effectiveness.

With regard to the strengthening of the laws which underpin the work of An Garda Síochána in this area, the Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment to strengthen the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau in relation to the forfeiture of the proceeds of crime. Work in this regard is ongoing.

In relation to the particular question raised concerning the law governing prostitution and the purchase of sexual services, I can inform the Deputy that in this jurisdiction, the criminal law governing prostitution is aimed at protecting society from the more intrusive aspects of such activity from a public order perspective, while also seeking to protect prostitutes from exploitation. Under the existing law the sale or purchase of sexual services is not an offence. However associated activities which cause a public nuisance such as soliciting by either party to a transaction or the exploitation of prostitution such as pimping or running a brothel are criminal offences.

In 2010, the Swedish Government completed an evaluation of its 1999 legislation criminalising the purchase of sex. The Dignity Project, a research project funded by the EU, arranged a visit to Sweden to learn more about the evaluation and the delegation included representation from my Department.

I am examining a report prepared by my Department following the visit to Stockholm and which was submitted to the Attorney General's Office. I am also examining the Attorney's recent advices concerning the legal and constitutional implications of introducing a ban on the purchase of sex.

More generally, the Deputy may also wish to be aware that my Department has engaged in a public consultation process to develop a White Paper on Crime with a view to developing a policy framework for future strategies to combat and prevent crime.