Prostitutes bringing toddlers with them, says FG leader

22/06/2005 - 15:02:47
Some prostitutes in Dublin city take their toddlers out on the streets with them, the Dáil has heard today.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said women take children as young as two into the cars of men after soliciting sex with them.

He told TDs that the issue was raised at a public meeting he attended in the Prussia Street area of the inner city last night.

“Women with drug problems, with children as young as two-years-old, have been seen getting into cars after having solicited services for prostitution in that locality,” he said during the Order of Business.

He said residents in the area had requested a meeting with the Justice Minister on the matter on several occasions but were unable to meet him.

“It is an issue of very serious concern to people in that locality,” Mr Kenny added.

He called for the Taoiseach and the Justice Minister Michael McDowell to take action on the issue by enacting the Crimes Bill.

The proposed Bill fulfils a pledge in the Programme for Government to merge all substantive criminal law into a single Act.

Bertie Ahern said he did not know when the Crimes Bill would be coming before the Dáil but that Mr McDowell had appointed Prof. Finbarr McAuley to chair the Statutory Criminal Law Codification Advisory Group.