Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 706: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will support the Turn Off the Red Light campaign to end prostitution and sex trafficking in Ireland. [27174/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The "Turn off the Red Light" campaign calls on the Government to introduce legislation criminalising the purchase of sexual services, based on the legislative model in Sweden for combating prostitution.

Our prostitution legislation is currently under review. As part of that review, I have announced a public consultation process to inform the future direction of legislation in this area. A detailed discussion document to facilitate and get the public consultation underway will be published shortly.

The Deputy will appreciate that until the consultation exercise and review are completed, it would not be proper to commit to any particular legislative approach. There are differing and genuinely held views on the appropriate legislative response to prostitution. The consultation process must be and be seen to be objective, transparent, open-minded and fair. It is important that I facilitate the expression of all views on this subject and that those views are examined in due course.