Irish justice minister may criminalise clients

[tomcork]

What effect will this have on escort business in Ireland? Will we all be too scared to visit?
Pushes it all underground?

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news...-30555725.html

[Davidontour]

Terrible article from The Independent.

''Currently, it is illegal in Ireland to work as prostitute but there are not restrictions on the purchase of sex''

Aside from the two grammatical errors in this sentence, how accurate is this statement? Adult prostitution is not illegal in either part of Ireland, although there are laws regarding soliciting and brothel keeping. It's also untrue that there are no restrictions on sex buyers. Kerb crawling or buying sex from underage or trafficked individuals is illegal.

As to the effect criminalisation might have on the local industry, the best thing is to look at Sweden and Norway where these laws have been in place for years. Norway recently estimated (and admitted it was only a rough guess) that indoor sex work had decreased by 10% to 20% over the 5 years the law had been in place. Even as a best guess, that indicates that criminalisation has had relatively little effect. Sweden is little better with over 1000 sex workers still operating and human trafficking increasing by the government's own admission.

It would seem unlikely that the Irish results would be much different and the powers that be are well aware of this. The issue is an attempt by various parties to deflect attention from the multiple rapes, abuse and suspicious deaths carried out by the Irish church, to framework a law around misguided moral outrage and to secure longterm funding for inefficient and ineffective 'rescue organisations.'

[hforty69]

As a buyer one would say it might deter some but not all. End result would probably be to increase trafficking and criminal element who as we know follow all laws. No different to drugs laws, if people want to do it they will

[simon2280]

As a buyer one would say it might deter some but not all. End result would probably be to increase trafficking and criminal element who as we know follow all laws. No different to drugs laws, if people want to do it they will

I agree, we will hand sex work into the hands of the growing powerful criminal class. That is the aim of groups that only want to be seen as Saviours of poor misguided people,....Rubbish..If sex work is made illegal it will.. these people forget, put them into direct conflict with Ruthless Underworld.. there is enough legislation already, only there are not resourses or genuine interest in protecting service provider or client... This issue raises it's head when political parties or two face hypocrites need publicity at around Budget Time. Intimate Activity is a Personal activity..So it should be legalised and regulated

[The Equalizer]

Earlier today I read the above article in the Irish Independent. It made for some interesting reading.

From The Article
Comment

Currently, it is illegal in Ireland to work as prostitute
It has been highlighted several times that it is not "illegal to work as a prostitute" in Ireland.

but there are not restrictions on the purchase of sex.
There are restrictions on the purchase of sex-it is illegal to purchase sex from an underage person (and both the Gardai and the Courts enforce this rigorously)

It is illegal to purchase sex from a person who is coerced by others (i.e a pimp) to sell sex
(Just wondering, if there are "no restrictions on the purchase of sex", why have there been major Garda operations on the streets of Limerick (and other localities) in recent years which resulted in the arrests (and subsequent court appearances) of clients or "would be clients" of sex workers?

She called on anyone with information to provide it to the relevant authorities.
If I (and I would reckon, the overwhelming majority of the E-I Community) became aware of any person working in this industry being subject to abuse of any kind, from anyone, I would direct the Gardai towards the premises at which I discovered the individual unfortunate enough to be the victim of such appalling circumstances.

[Davidontour]

The ignorance from the Irish media on this subject would actually be impressive if it wasn't so disturbing. Who needs facts when you have prejudice?

[leroy]

It would depend on the clients situation and if he can afford to take the risk, definitely will put guys from visiting as it would change everything for some

[Larrii]

It's a bit like banning horse-racing. Some will say it's cruel to the horse. Ban it, and lots of people will organise races anyway.

Ban it, and the government loses several thousand more votes at the next election.

Ban it, and lose the tax you could make from it!

[tom rambo]

well there is always ways around Tings,and wee will find it,

[Clint Eastdude]

What effect will this have on escort business in Ireland? Will we all be too scared to visit?
Pushes it all underground?

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news...-30555725.html

The one thing all you poor Dudes are missing is that we now have a woman Minister of Justice..."There may be trouble ahead"..