Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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126. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the forthcoming Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill will make provision for the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality recommendations on prostitution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36353/14]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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127. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding laws targeting sex buyers to end exploitation, abuse and trafficking (details supplied); when this Bill will be taken as it is now over a year since the Justice Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality issued their report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36364/14]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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128. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if legislation in the area of sex trafficking and/or prostitution is planned to be brought forward with a view to better protecting women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36376/14]

Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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146. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she plans to introduce laws targeting sex buyers to end exploitation, abuse and trafficking in view of a report issued from the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, which recommended such laws after studying numerous submissions and months of hearings. [36430/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 to 128, inclusive, and 146 together.

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 Deputies 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.

I would draw attention to the existing legislative provision addressing the trafficking of persons for the purposes of exploitation (including sexual exploitation) which can attract significant 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.

There is also provisions in our criminal law directed at the public nuisances and exploitation associated with prostitution. Solicitation, by both the client and the prostitute, living on the earnings of prostitution, organising prostitution and running a brothel are all offences under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993.