asked the Minister for Justice (1) the number of prostitutes arrested and charged with soliciting in 1980 and the number convicted; (2) the number of pimps arrested for living on immoral earnings in 1980 and the number convicted; (3) the general policy of the Garda Síochána regarding the arrest of prostitutes, and if the Gardaí have reduced the number of arrests and now arrest for disorderly behaviour only; (4) if a list of 28 pimps was given to him and, if so, if he passed this on to the Gardaí, and if they acted on it; (5) if he has any knowledge of the existence of young male prostitutes, and, if so, if any arrests have been made, and (6) if he has any knowledge of any immoral activity, such as prostitution, taking place in massage parlours or brothels and, if so, if there have been any arrests.
Written Answers. - Prostitution Arrests.
The information supplied by the Garda Síochána under various heads of the Question is as follows:
(1) 311 persons arrested and 301 convicted; (2) 4 persons arrested and 4 convicted; (3) There has been no change in the practice of the Garda Síochána in regard to such arrests. Arrests continue to be made for soliciting and, in fact, the number of such arrests increased in 1980. (4) I received from the Deputy a list of men and women alleged to be, respectively, pimps and prostitutes and I forwarded it to the Garda authorities. The Gardaí indicated that many of the persons on the list were known to them and that prosecutions are brought where sufficient evidence to justify prosecutions is available. In some cases, the women whose evidence would be essential may be unwilling or afraid to give evidence. Moreover, some of the men and some of the women named in the list are believed to be married couples. (5) The Garda authorities state that allegations of male prostitution which came to their notice in recent days are being investigated but that apart from that they have no evidence on the matter. (6) No complaints have been received by the Garda authorities in regard to soliciting in massage parlours. Three persons were convicted in 1980 as a result of a prosecution brought in connection with the operation of a brothel.