Conference to debate prostitution legislation

Organisations working with prostitutes, international and domestic experts, and groups representing sex workers will gather today to help shape a blueprint on future prostitution laws in the country.

The day-long conference follows a discussion document drawn up by the Department of Justice which sets a range of options — from full criminalisation of all prostitution to legalisation of the adult sex trade.

In the run-up to the conference, Justice Minister Alan Shatter said the nature of prostitution had changed in Ireland.