Full Bill to criminalise clients published

[Zealot7]

Just a couple of thoughts:

• Just because it's been published, doesn't actually mean it'll get passed in a timely manner or even at all. There are a large amount of published bills that have been sitting there for a significant amount of time.
• With the time that it is at the moment, it's highly likely to be delayed before it's even put before the Dáil. You've got the budget at the moment, so at the very least don't expect anything until after that, then factor in you've a general election either early next year or late this year. It's a very long bill too given everything that's in it; it won't be passed overnight.
• Another thing I notice is that the "Reasonable Grounds" language is not in the bill anymore. It was "If a Garda has reasonable grounds", now it just says "If a person does <list of shit>". This presumably requires actual proof on behalf of the authorities as opposed to "reasonable grounds", it'll make things extremely difficult in court for them then.
• Its absurdity is likely to be its undoing too, as its worded it requires every straight or homosexual man or woman that are either married, in a relationship, having an affair/FWB type arrangement or a one night stands to be charged. I think (opinion of course) it's likely to get watered down before it's passed, or even if it does pass in it current form and a case goes to court a few years later it'll likely be thrown out on lack of evidence.
• As other posters have rightly said, it's completely and unequivocally unenforceable. The Gardai have neither the resources or the powers to police it effectively in the case of the way independent ladies go about their business.

Taken that together, I'm not so worried.

Although it's a sad time that this is even being considered by those in power, it really shows how far we've fallen as a country. It re-affirms every belief I've ever had in limited or small government.

[TonyB]

Just a couple of thoughts:

• Just because it's been published, doesn't actually mean it'll get passed in a timely manner or even at all. There are a large amount of published bills that have been sitting there for a significant amount of time.
• With the time that it is at the moment, it's highly likely to be delayed before it's even put before the Dáil. You've got the budget at the moment, so at the very least don't expect anything until after that, then factor in you've a general election either early next year or late this year. It's a very long bill too given everything that's in it; it won't be passed overnight.
• Another thing I notice is that the "Reasonable Grounds" language is not in the bill anymore. It was "If a Garda has reasonable grounds", now it just says "If a person does <list of shit>". This presumably requires actual proof on behalf of the authorities as opposed to "reasonable grounds", it'll make things extremely difficult in court for them then.
• Its absurdity is likely to be its undoing too, as its worded it requires every straight or homosexual man or woman that are either married, in a relationship, having an affair/FWB type arrangement or a one night stands to be charged. I think (opinion of course) it's likely to get watered down before it's passed, or even if it does pass in it current form and a case goes to court a few years later it'll likely be thrown out on lack of evidence.
• As other posters have rightly said, it's completely and unequivocally unenforceable. The Gardai have neither the resources or the powers to police it effectively in the case of the way independent ladies go about their business.

Taken that together, I'm not so worried.

Although it's a sad time that this is even being considered by those in power, it really shows how far we've fallen as a country. It re-affirms every belief I've ever had in limited or small government.

Good post.
I really object to being criminalised for something that is natural to want to do

[Stonie]

Just a couple of thoughts:

• Just because it's been published, doesn't actually mean it'll get passed in a timely manner or even at all. There are a large amount of published bills that have been sitting there for a significant amount of time.
• With the time that it is at the moment, it's highly likely to be delayed before it's even put before the Dáil. You've got the budget at the moment, so at the very least don't expect anything until after that, then factor in you've a general election either early next year or late this year. It's a very long bill too given everything that's in it; it won't be passed overnight.
• Another thing I notice is that the "Reasonable Grounds" language is not in the bill anymore. It was "If a Garda has reasonable grounds", now it just says "If a person does <list of shit>". This presumably requires actual proof on behalf of the authorities as opposed to "reasonable grounds", it'll make things extremely difficult in court for them then.
• Its absurdity is likely to be its undoing too, as its worded it requires every straight or homosexual man or woman that are either married, in a relationship, having an affair/FWB type arrangement or a one night stands to be charged. I think (opinion of course) it's likely to get watered down before it's passed, or even if it does pass in it current form and a case goes to court a few years later it'll likely be thrown out on lack of evidence.
• As other posters have rightly said, it's completely and unequivocally unenforceable. The Gardai have neither the resources or the powers to police it effectively in the case of the way independent ladies go about their business.

Taken that together, I'm not so worried.

Although it's a sad time that this is even being considered by those in power, it really shows how far we've fallen as a country. It re-affirms every belief I've ever had in limited or small government.

but it will be passed and will be more strictly policed than Northern Ireland

[MidlifeCrisis]

but it will be passed and will be more strictly policed than Northern Ireland

Why do you expect it to be policed more strictly than NI?

[annabel taylor]

Why do you expect it to be policed more strictly than NI?

Because he been dramatic

[ber]

As i have often said before on this issue i dont expect the Gardai to police this much differently or put much extra resources into it. The chances of a client getting caught
will still be very slim. However there is a but and it is a very big but, if u do happen to be the poor unfortunate that is caught and i only expect there to be a handful it has
the potential to ruin ure life completly.We are forever talking about how the punishment for crimes committed in our justice system is totally inadequate, well this is the dead opposite for a crime which will be considered not much more than a misdemanour the fallout will be horrific ,if ever there was a case of the justice system ruining lives this will be it

[Zealot7]

but it will be passed and will be more strictly policed than Northern Ireland

Passed? Likely, given the pigheaded bitch that's at the helm. But!... more strictly policed? Very very unlikely if at all.

Jesus, talk about drama. Curse me for trying to inject some logic into the discussion.

[dragonjay]

I'll just stick to my favs if it kicks in ive 5 favs atm need to start getting my list bigger before its to late lol.

[nonpareil]

Too much scaremongering will do the job for Frances without anyone having to lift a finger, by putting people off.
And an odd guest that might be here on a public forum, will see that they are having an effect already.

[Dom Dunn]

Too much scaremongering will do the job for Frances without anyone having to lift a finger, by putting people off.
And an odd guest that might be here on a public forum, will see that they are having an effect already.

I don't think we are scaremongering but rather just trying to tease out options for people in a relatively calm and rational manner. Some people will only
be concerned they they are not the unlucky bastard that ends up in court. Others may consider that risk no matter how small is not worth taking because of personal
circumstances. Some girls may be of the opinion that business will drop off and may be thinking of heading off. Some like myself see the law change as a gross interference in the rights of adults to engage in consensual sexual activities involving payment if they so desire. To shut up and pretend that nothing is happening is imo unwise.