Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald refuses to decriminalise brothel-keeping

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald says she will not decriminalise brothel-keeping as part of new prostitution laws as she fears criminals would exploit a legal loophole.

A section of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015, which has still not been signed into law despite being published a year ago, criminalises the purchase of sex but decriminalises the person offering sexual services.

The minister was asked by Green Party TD Catherine Martin for her views on the way sex workers will be decriminalised “while still retaining sanctions for a person working together with another for safety”.