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Irish Justice Minister in move to change laws on purchase of sex

Alan Shatter confirms Swedish system under consideration

CATHAL DERVAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Monday, October 3, 2011, 8:17 AM

Updated Monday, October 3, 2011, 9:38 AM

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Minister for Justice Alan Shatter

Photo by Google Images

Ireland’s Minister for Justice Alan Shatter is considering new legislation making it a criminal offense to buy sex.

Shatter is currently considering advice from the country’s Attorney General concerning the legal and constitutional implications of such a move.

Under current Irish law it is not an offence to purchase or to sell sex. Soliciting on a street or in a public place for the purpose of prostitution is an offence however as is the trafficking of people for sexual exploitation in any place.

Representatives from the Department of Justice and the Irish police force recently travelled to the Swedish capital Stockholm to survey the impact of legislation there which has criminalized the purchase of sexual services since 1999.

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“I am examining a report prepared by my department following the visit to Stockholm and which was submitted to the Attorney General’s Office,” confirmed Minister Shatter.

“I am also examining the Attorney’s advice concerning the legal and constitutional implications of introducing a ban on the purchase of sex.

“It is not an offence, in itself, to sell sex. In general, it is not an offence to purchase sex either. Consequently, neither party to the transaction is currently criminalized.

“Any proposal to amend the law in terms of criminalizing the purchase of sex would require very careful examination.”

Shatter’s move comes as the Government seeks to amend the law in relation to human trafficking.

The Minister added: “With regard to prostitution, the criminal law is aimed at protecting society from the more intrusive aspects of such activity from a public order perspective, while also seeking to protect prostitutes from exploitation.

“The offence can be committed by the prostitute, the client or a third party - a pimp, for example.”

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BishopSean | Oct 04, 2011, 08:00 AM EDT

Meanwhile, CNN is doing a great job on exposing and campaigning against human trafficking and slavery. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people." (Proverbs 14:34). One law professor of mine said the law cannot legislate morality; it can only legislate against some immorality." Where he was wrong--the law has everything to do with morality. The problem is when we have different definitions of immorality. Why not stay within legal traditions that suport freedoms of expression, concience, religion and equal protection under law for all, including women and children?

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stephen1553 | Oct 03, 2011, 11:19 PM EDT

This reminds me of how the USA tried to outlaw liquor back in the 1920s. All it accomplished was to give the business to organized crime, who imported the liquor from Canada. And resulted in machine gun battles over who controlled what part of the business. And major corruption of politicians who got their booze for free. Another example re the "sex trade" - Priests, denied sex and companionship, dared not go to prostitutes for sex, for fear they would be caught. Instead they solved their desires utilizing the handiest victims, the young alter boys, and yes about 20% of the victims were girls.. The kids were then terrorized into believing it was their fault to shut them up. And of course the church hid these vile crimes for centuries, on the orders of the Vatican. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23369148-pope-led-cover-up-of-child-abuse-by-priests.do http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1859487.ece (nuns forced to abort) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/vatican-confirms-report-of-sexual-abuse-and-rape-of-nuns-by-priests-in-23-countries-688261.html The best you can do is try to keep it under control and hopefully tax it for the benefit of all.

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ellenfromcork | Oct 03, 2011, 07:25 PM EDT

Next they'll be criminalizing breathing the air which is just as much a basic human need.

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Scrivner | Oct 03, 2011, 05:00 PM EDT

OUtlaw buying it? A good solicitor will just structure a short term leasing arrangement. (Might escape the VAT, too!)

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Springfield9 | Oct 03, 2011, 01:05 PM EDT

The point is "Human Trafficking" - so why go to Sweden for that? If you find someone selling girls ..... there you have it. What's the point of a Swedish vacation?

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greensod | Oct 03, 2011, 12:56 PM EDT

That should get the economy moving.Another idiot in the Government.Who the hell has the money to buy sex in Ireland.With a thousand people leaving every week are you going to follow them to the ends of the earth.How the hell did these guys get elected?

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Murph46 | Oct 03, 2011, 11:27 AM EDT

You can buy sex?

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gobdawpaddy | Oct 03, 2011, 11:15 AM EDT

To be serious, I agree with another poster that it should be legalized. It is legal in certain counties in Nevada and of course in the Netherlands. Make it safe, it's going to happen no matter what laws are introduced.

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CaptainCon | Oct 03, 2011, 11:13 AM EDT

Careful lads. A wedding proposal could be misconstrued as an offer of remuneration for sex. 'Minister for Justice in attack on institution of marriage'. I wonder did the delegation stay resolutely in Stockholm to hear powerpoint after powerpoint presentation on how prostitution has been dealt with there- and no-one asks the elephant in the room question- where was Swedish prostitution displaced to? Across the Oresund Bridge. What will happy will be a load of prim faced moralists deciding to take a blow at prostitution and drive it further underground where it becomes ever more dangerous an occupation. The catholic braindeath- 'banning something makes it go away'. Wrong. It just drives up the price and makes the problem less visible to churchgoers. Dunderheaded nonsense about to emerge on this one.

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Liamkeyes | Oct 03, 2011, 10:16 AM EDT

I think that they should legalise it. The Taxes would go a long way towards reducing the deficit.

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gobdawpaddy | Oct 03, 2011, 10:13 AM EDT

Thanks for the advice Muiris, will simply throw $40 worth of drink into my next date, along with a handful of wings.

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Trealach | Oct 03, 2011, 10:00 AM EDT

@butlerreport -lol - so long as they keep screwing us IN the Dáil then they are exempt from prosecution.

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muirisobric | Oct 03, 2011, 09:34 AM EDT

ú should B ú twit for buying an expensive dinner. What's wrong with' pub grub?