Kate McGrew. Excellent on RTE.

[milkman]

Not often I disagree with you Jessica, but I think the law is only trying to stop people being forced into this work. The gangs who make a fortune from the "sex " industry , and they are nasty and not at all Irish, in the US the gangs are branding the girls!! like slaves used too, but it is a tattoo rather than a branding iron.
If escorting was made legal, what difference would that make?? it is legal to buy fuel, cigarettes, drink down here yet gangs make millions smuggling these thing in. All it would do is make sex cheaper and more dangerous. If a girl has to pay tax, rent, and do returns, then no more cash in hand, all documented, no more millions for this site, adds are free in some newspapers. You honestly think this would happen, way too much money being made under the radar.
As well some of the so called " brothels" being raided are in housing estates, or apartment blocks where families live, would you like to buy a house for 400k and have a half-way house for sex offenders next door ?, the reason for raids, are police being asked by locals because of noise, all kinds of weirdos around at all hours, these people could not give a damn if it was not affecting there happiness and right to live in peace, without worry.

Ah Jaysus , US gangs 'branding' sex slaves?? Sounds like alternative facts.
However , youre dead right about brothels operating in residential areas. A neighbourhood in which one/two houses have a litany of people going in and out is totally unacceptable for the residents .Discrete licensed flat/apartment brothels in large apartment blocks are the only way to operate .

[Rachel Divine]

So, when are we expecting the new law to pass?

[John617]

but this law is not solely about criminalising clients paying for sex, this is only part of it, there is more to it that most do agree with

The one about inbreeding gave me a chuckle.

[Barney Rubble]

The one about inbreeding gave me a chuckle.

What's the Royal Family got to do with this ?

[Liberty Love]

I agree she has balls... I am not taking that from her at all. I applaud her efforts and always have. But I feel this was another opportunity lost. Yeah, I would love to speak out publicly but I do not have the balls, as thanks to society and stigma my life would be dramatically changed if I were to do so.

I have now listened to the entire programme, and here are my thoughts.

Why is this law being considered in the first place? It is because common public perception of this industry is one of coercion, trafficking and mistreatment of vulnerable naive women. Every experienced punter here knows that this is not the case. Every escort here knows that this is not the case. There are minuscule to negligible examples or cases of coercion or abuse. I am not saying it doesn't exist but I am saying its in the very low percentages. The public are again and again being fed "facts" based on "research" that 95% of women working in this industry are doing so against their will. Last Thursday, when the amendment was being voted on, minister Fitzgerald stated these statistics and it went unchallenged. Its no wonder Joe public will support this bill, thinking that hundreds of girls are being forced, raped and abused here in Ireland on a daily basis. But they are not!!! The stats are the other way around. In fact I'd dispute that even 5% are being abused or coerced on a daily basis, but I don't know, as my knowledge of this industry lies only here, and I do not have any knowledge of what happens on the streets.

The program started well with interviews with a punter and a TS escort. All sounded well and safe and normal. Then we have Mia de Faoite's main argument being that the vast majority of escorts/prostitutes are coerced/trafficked, and this new law will fix all that... same ol' same ol'... Kate's main and ONLY argument was the lack of support or fear of asking for support from the Gardai when this law is enforced. Thats all fine Kate, but how often or how many girls actually have looked for or need the Gardai to date. I feel the way you constantly put forward this argument made it sound that escorting is so dangerous that the girls are often in need of Garda help! This paints a bleak picture endorsing public opinion that the industry is dangerous and seedy.

Mia de Faoite at one stage stated "The sex industry is a place where rape and in some cases murder thrives". Does it thrive!? This went unchallenged. She also stated that there is "a small group of between 5 to 8% that are happy to be there, they dont want this law, but this law is for the vast majority who are addicted, trapped, coerced.... all research points to the 90%... " This also went unchallenged!

Kate was asked directly "how satisfied are you that the sex workers you represent are not exploited, are not trafficked?".. This was the six million dollar question. Kate answered by saying... "what is important and frustrating is the escalating danger and it is with the worst cases that we are concerned...". She didn't answer the question, but yet continued to paint a bleak picture of danger. It was nearly as if she was avoiding the question altogether.

Kate seemed to concentrate on the fact that the law will make the industry go underground. Whereas I can see what she is trying to say I feel using language like "making a very vulnerable community more desperate" send out the wrong signals. She did not at any time assure the public that the industry is not as dark as is perceived, and for this reason I think it did not go as well as one would have hoped.

My God , I agree with you James.

[RicFlair]

So, when are we expecting the new law to pass?

As soon as you let it my Queen.

[JAMESCORK]

So, when are we expecting the new law to pass?

I believe the procedure is to go to the Seanad (senate) first for approval then to the president for signing. This will only take a couple of weeks. But it is then to be decided when to actually put the law into effect. In NI the law was passed in December and put into effect the following June if I remember correctly.

[Dom Dunn]

Ah Jaysus , US gangs 'branding' sex slaves?? Sounds like alternative facts.
However , youre dead right about brothels operating in residential areas. A neighbourhood in which one/two houses have a litany of people going in and out is totally unacceptable for the residents .Discrete licensed flat/apartment brothels in large apartment blocks are the only way to operate .

This poster is surely taking the piss. One piece of black humour that made me laugh was the gangs getting rich who control the sex trade are "nasty and not at all Irish". Nasty Irish criminal gangs
couldn't exist could day? Agree that sex should not be sold in residential areas but can't agree that brothels are "a half way house for sex offenders" I think Lapd is a bit confused.

[Rachel Divine]

I believe the procedure is to go to the Seanad (senate) first for approval then to the president for signing. This will only take a couple of weeks. But it is then to be decided when to actually put the law into effect. In NI the law was passed in December and put into effect the following June if I remember correctly.

Okay .. When will it go to Seanad?

[MALCOLM]

a gutsy performance as usual from the lady but wasting her time, they don't give a shite about yas,