Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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135. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on when laws to tackle sex trafficking and prostitution targeting sex buyers will be published. [34920/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that Ireland already has an extensive legislative framework prohibiting the trafficking of persons for the purposes of exploitation (including sexual exploitation) with stringent penalties.

The Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 prohibits trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Any person found guilty of such an offence shall be liable to imprisonment for life or a lesser term, and at the discretion of the court, to a fine.

I am examining the recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, the advices of the Attorney General and the views of the Minister for Health regarding a new approach to prostitution legislation.

As you will be aware, prostitution raises a wide spectrum of issues. When I have had the opportunity to complete consideration of the issues, proposals will be brought to Government in the usual manner.