Written answers

Wednesday, 8 October 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Proposed Legislation

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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97. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will introduce laws targeting sex buyers to end exploitation, abuse and trafficking. [38386/14]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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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 the Deputy is aware, prostitution raises a wide range of issues and when I have had the opportunity to complete consideration of the issues, any proposals will be brought to Government.

I would also draw attention to the existing legislative provisions 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 are 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.

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