asked the Minister for Justice if he will inquire into the possibility of establishing a separate department of the Garda Síochána to deal solely with the problem of prostitution and offences against young people in Dublin City.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offences against Young People.
7.
I have been informed by the Garda Síochána that they do not consider that the problems to which the question relates require, or would be better dealt with by, the establishment of a separate department within the force.
In most of the Dublin City Garda districts, a number of plain-clothes members are allocated specially to this work and this arrangement is regarded by the Garda authorities as the best one, at all events at the present time.
With reference to the second part of my question about offences against young people, there is something I want to ask the Minister. It is an unusual form of offence. I refer to a group of foreign students here who preach Chinese Imperialism. They have taken young people to an institution in the city and brainwashed them with the most hideous doctrine of hate. Surely the time has come for the Government to deport these foreigners who must be breaking the law. This is becoming of grave concern to parents in the city. People are asking when are the Government going to act in this matter.
The question of dealing with these people is a complex one. I am aware of the problem and I have it under active consideration at the moment.
Is the Minister aware that there has been an increase in venereal disease from 163 cases in 1966 to 242 cases in 1967 and to 404 cases in 1968? That is a very large increase. There have been reasons to suggest that the increase may arise from prostitution. Would the Minister consider, in consultation with the Department of Health, introducing legislation to enable tests to be carried out on a prostitute after conviction?
We cannot have a discussion on this.
Would the Minister consider having consultations with the Department of Health?
The question of disease is solely one for the Department of Health. The opinion in that Department is that the spread of this disease has, down through the centuries, been mostly due to inexperienced amateurs in this business rather than to professionals.
Is the Minister satisfied with the present legislation in regard to the enforcing of sentences on streetwalkers?
That is a separate question.
The law so far as prostitution is concerned is there and is effective. I have no complaints to the contrary.