what happens to E.I now? will the site be taken down?

[Empirical]

I just started my own business too, I reckon it will be a year to a year and a half before it will be able to support me enough to retire. Does Belfast not come under the same law as the UK though? Or is the the whole of Ireland that's affected by this? Sorry I don't know much about it xx

The Stormont Assembly can only pass laws that apply to N Ireland. the Swedish model proposed in Clause 6 will only apply there. The rest of the UK is not affected by this.

This is not the final stage in the legislation process, however it now seems certain that it will ultimately become law.

Clause 6 does not apply to the Republic of Ireland; this is a 'foreign' country as far as the UK and N Ireland is concerned.

However, there are similar provisions currently before the Irish Dail, and it seems now much more probable that it will pass. It would be very strange if the laws on both sides of the border here were very different.

[Andi79]

I'm absolutely disgusted by the actions of our politicians yesterday. Regardless of opinions of sex workers and the purchase of sex, they have enforced their so called ideology on the industry and those involved.

I am always very aware that workers could be trafficked, and am very careful about who I meet. If I think there are signs of trafficking, I wouldn't stay - but so far I have never experienced anything suspicious here.

Clause 6 will only make things worse for sex workers. The industry will be driven further underground, it will become more seedy, and it will increase the opportunity for sex trafficking - instead of reducing it!!

Tarring those who purchase sex with the same brush as those involved (at the core) in trafficking is inherently flawed. It will endanger the lives of many sex workers, and could increase the levels of sexual assault generally. A controversial thought, and I'm not saying that this will happen, but if you're going risk getting a criminal record, then why pay for it?

This country is stepping back into the dark ages again, and I am certainly thinking of abandoning it in the very near future - not just because of this legislation, but it doesn't help!!

Surely they should be legislating for the people (sex workers), not themselves! Maybe it's years of guilt from sexual abuse within the Catholic church and other institutions - Kincora and the rest.

[Hard Lover]

Politicians & police always go for the easy targets,I would say the garda will have a field day when this law comes in,approaching men coming out of apartments etc,raiding hotel rooms,they will scare the bejaysus out of a lot of men ,put the fear of god in them etc and like a disease this will spread and business will drop off I fear,the ladies should be working and saving like crazy now as this will definitely reduce business,I see a lot more foreign golf trips in my future.

[SteveB]

I do not want to “blame the victim” but Escort Ireland has been a victim of its own success, and to a certain extent, the author of its own misfortune.

There was a time before Escort Ireland where escorts’ phone numbers were passed by word of mouth, and over Citizen Band radios and various other means, and this was a lot more discreet. Even other escort websites are rather more discreet.

Don’t get me wrong, Escort Ireland is easily the best of all the websites of its type, and things like its review system has done a lot to iron out problems clients (and escorts) have had in the past. But it is just too easy for anybody (including the usual bigots) to lurk on the boards and to take gratuitous offence at what they see. This is an activity best kept out of the gaze of these bigots.

[Meursault]

I do not want to “blame the victim” but Escort Ireland has been a victim of its own success, and to a certain extent, the author of its own misfortune.

There was a time before Escort Ireland where escorts’ phone numbers were passed by word of mouth, and over Citizen Band radios and various other means, and this was a lot more discreet. Even other escort websites are rather more discreet.

Don’t get me wrong, Escort Ireland is easily the best of all the websites of its type, and things like its review system has done a lot to iron out problems clients (and escorts) have had in the past. But it is just too easy for anybody (including the usual bigots) to lurk on the boards and to take gratuitous offence at what they see. This is an activity best kept out of the gaze of these bigots.

kind of like the fall of the roman empire......it became too big

[meath chap]

i think there will be more sting operations and the odd raid,if your in visiting an escort and theres more escorts down in the sitting room its considered a brothel.if your caught you will have problems if the law is brought in,business will die down no doubt...imagine a married man caught and name put in the paper..not good

[westie]

If profiles are changed so that prices and favourites are omitted I cant see how this site can fall foul of the new laws.I am not sure where the sites domain is but if its outside Ireland there is bugger all they can do about. Ireland cannot censor the internet much as some people would like.
Sting operations would not work here as most escorts are non Irish and if you phone one with a bog accent ask if she is a Garda and if she is she has to tell you. As for raiding apartments just say your are getting a massage or whatever they will have huge problem proving otherwise. There is no law against two adults been naked in a bedroom yet but I am sure the hate brigade are working on it.

[the quite man]

I don't think it will make much difference what laws they bring in.laws are made to be broken.
If they bring in these laws criminalising the purchase of sex. It will frighten some people for a few weeks or so but some will see it as a challenge. New punters will think twice As for the laws its all about the wording when thine settle down their will be ways around them.Anyway punter calling to see an independent escort that works on their own it going to be hard to prove what has take place
And as punter we never pay for sex we pay for companionship. These laws won't stop me as long as the independent escorts are available

[the quite man]

I don't think this site will be taken down to my knowledge this site only advertising companionship not sex that's for individuals they might have to word things a bit different and this site is run from Spain now I think

[TheIncredibleSulk]

As said the EI site will remain as Escorts are safe but us clients are not, its us that will be targeted Now.