Fine Gael would consider legalising small brothels

LEGALISING small-scale brothels is set to be considered by Fine Gael if they get back into power, the party’s justice spokesman Jim O’Keefe revealed last night.

Confiscating the driving licences of persistent ‘kerb-crawlers’ may also be examined, Mr O’Keeffe said.

He made it clear he will be watching with interest to see how the radical initiatives work in England and Wales before considering replicating them here.

The major shift in British policy is intended to take the problems created by prostitutes and their clients off neighbourhood streets.

New proposals would allow two prostitutes and a receptionist or maid to work legally in brothels.

Mr O’Keeffe said he favoured setting up a thorough consultation process to consider the implications of such changes here.

“This is an interesting approach. Some continental countries, like Holland, have already moved in this direction. There would be upsides and downsides to this,” he said.

“On the upside, it would create a safer environment for the women involved, it would probably be a healthier environment for them and would help take the problem off the streets. The main downside would be the implication of the State condoning, if not encouraging, this sort of activity.

“This would not be a top priority of a Fine Gael-led government. It would be something that would need to be assessed very carefully.

“Confiscating the driving licences of kerb crawlers is an interesting idea if we are to try and limit, if not eradicate kerb crawling,” Mr O’Keeffe said.

Barnardo’s Ireland welcomed the broad thrust of the British proposals as they are partly aimed at preventing young people being lured into vice, and cracking down on pimps and those who pay for sex.

Director of advocacy Norah Gibbons said: “Children and young people need to be protected from those who would seek to grossly exploit them through prostitution.”

The British Government abandoned plans for licensed red-light zones, believing they could send out the wrong message.

However, British Crime Minister Fiona Mactaggart said evidence from sex workers suggested allowing them to work off the street increased their safety.

“Where women are working for themselves and are less likely to be managed or pimped on a large scale, very small-scale operations can operate in a way that is not disruptive to neighbours,” she said.

A Justice Department spokeswoman said the Government had no plans to amend Ireland’s laws regarding prostitution.