Ireland’s sex industry is fighting back – and wants frank and open debate with the Government on the prostitution issue.

The website Escort Ireland has even invited government ministers to visit their offices to discuss proposed law changes.

An online advertising outlet for the sex industry, Escort Ireland wants politicians to reconsider proposals to put the squeeze on prostitutes according to a report in the Irish Sun.

Politicians are currently studying new laws designed to make it illegal for punters to pay for sex.
But Escort Ireland has made a lengthy submission to the government committee charged with the legal review.

Their submission states: “We believe there is nothing wrong with someone paying for sexual services and most clients are decent people.

“We don’t think adults should be prosecuted for privately paying other consenting adults for sex.”

Escort Ireland by-passes a ban on advertising sex services by operating from the UK and warned against driving the business underground, according to the report.

Their submission added: “We feel the views of sex workers are the views that need to be heard more than any others.”

In response, Justice and Equality Committee member and Fine Gael TD David Stanton told the Irish Sun: “The committee should be careful about what weight it affords certain submissions like this one.

“There are all sorts of people involved in prostitution and they have their own agendas.”

However, Independent TD Finian McGrath, who also serves on the committee, said: “I am opposed to anyone who profits from prostitution but their views have to be taken into account.”

The paper reports that up to 1,000 women are offered for sex every day through the internet in Ireland.