Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the delegations for their presentations and patience. It has been a long wait for them.

There have been several presentations which I have found myself reading. In its presentation Ruhama quoted in an appropriately shocking way – it was right to do so - some of the comments of sex buyers. I found myself reading more of them because I did not have a chance to read the document beforehand. Those involved are dealing with a despicable type of human being who does not get the reason the women concerned are there. They see it as a disappointing service, whereas the women involved live up to everything described by Ruhama. No one in the committee would disagree with Ruhama's analysis of the impact on the mental and physical health of the vast majority of women involved.

My questions relate to some of my concerns. If we put in place or advocate for legislation which criminalises the user and the Government brings it through, how will we ensure the poor women, for the most part, who are still locked in will be adequately protected? The arguments we have heard against the Swedish model suggest it forces women in that situation to work with even worse men than those about whom we have read in the comments quoted. The concern is that they might be forced to take more risks and put themselves in more danger. I understand the point made by Mr. Doran to the effect that one must create the environment before one can deal with it and enforce the issue. I am keen to hear some thoughts from the delegations on how we can ensure this. Many of those in the delegations work on the front line and deal with the implications. The priority of all of us is to protect women in these situations and ensure they are given every support to exit from prostitution. I am, therefore, keen to hear the thoughts of the delegations.