28th March, 2002
Dr. Henry: I am sure the motion has the support of all Members. This issue concerns an extraordinary development in recent decades. I sincerely hope the unfortunate abuse of modern technology, the Internet and e-mail is being carefully policed because this is where a considerable amount of trafficking deals take place. I understand the trade is worth more than trafficking in drugs, which is incredible. People not only come from behind the old Iron Curtain countries of Moldova, Ukraine, etc., but also from Africa. If the Minister is ever in Italy, he will notice the appalling spectacle of African girls left in lay-bys for the day for the benefit of truck drivers and others going past. A considerable number of them have paid people to come to Italy in the belief they would get jobs. Their families are blackmailed if they do not co-operate in the trade. It is a difficult issue.
Senator Taylor-Quinn raised the lack of protection for prostitutes in this country. One of the problems for the trade created by the legislation is that it has forced it indoors. Prostitutes felt safer when they were on the streets because they had the option of choosing clients, whereas they must accept whoever turns up at these massage parlours, as they are described. As Senator Taylor-Quinn said, prostitutes do not make large amounts of money from the trade, rather it is pimps who do so.
One concern about people coming to this country and being coerced into prostitution is that work permits for non-EU nationals are held by employers. That gives them a terrible hold over the employees. People are required to work for one employer. If the work permit was given to the person coming into the country, he or she would be in a position to choose their employer. The system at present means an employer has a tremendous hold over his or her employees. I do not have evidence that the system has been abused, but I am less than happy with it. Perhaps the Minister might ask his officials to discuss this with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and her Department to see if they have evidence that it has been exploited.
The Minister mentioned ECPAT. We should praise Muireann Ó Briain, the lawyer at the head of the organisation in Bangkok. It was she who first got me involved in this issue and encouraged me to bring my Private Members' Bill on child sex tourism before the House about eight years ago. We have not been too slow off the mark in this area, even though we are on the periphery. I hope the Minister's Department will bring forward the necessary legislation as soon as possible.
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