The decision of the Government to push ahead with sex buyer laws has been welcomed by the 72 organisations, including IMPACT, that support the Turn off the Red Light campaign.

The new laws, which were included in the heads of the new Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2014, published last week by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald TD, will help ensure that organised criminals which are running prostitution will be put out of business.

The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI), welcoming the legislation, said it was an important milestone for women who have been through the horrors of prostitution and who had agreed to share their experiences with the political system in order to drive forward the democratic process.