Vol. 458 No. 1
41 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice the number of women and men arrested under the legislation criminalising prostitution; and her views on whether legislation has failed to tackle those responsible for exploiting prostitution but seems to have victimised prostitutes themselves. [15353/95]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that 12 men and 116 women were prosecuted for various offences under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 1993, between 7 July 1993 (the date on which it came into operation) and 31 December 1994. Statistics on the number of persons arrested under the Act are not readily available.
I am not clear as to the basis for the suggestion that persons convicted of offences brought into existence by this House are "victimised". For the avoidance of any doubt on the matter, there is no question of lax pursuit of those who "exploit" prostitution by comparison with those who act as prostitutes. If experience suggests a need to strenghthen existing legal provisions or if the Deputy has specific proposals in that regard, I will be glad to consider the suggestions and will not hesitate to propose any further changes in the law that may be required.
