On the same note, I welcome the vote in the European Parliament on Wednesday.

One might ask about the blue light.

The Parliament voted on a resolution put forward by socialist MEP Mary Honeyball calling for EU support for the Nordic approach to criminalising the clients of prostitution rather than those engaged in prostitution. This follows a report of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality published last year in which the committee recommended that a similar approach be adopted in Ireland. I have asked the Leader for a debate on that report. We are engaged in correspondence with the Minister for Justice and Equality on the issue.

This is sanctimonious rubbish and an abuse of language.

I really welcome the clear signal from the European Parliament that the best approach to tackling prostitution is to criminalise the client, that is, to criminalise the purchase rather than the sale of sex. We are seeing that understanding develop across the European Union and-----

There is no evidence base whatsoever.

Please allow Senator Ivana Bacik to continue without interruption.

She should read the Swedish Government's own report-----

I have been to Sweden and met many of those involved on a front-line basis with those engaged in prostitution.

I am sure the Senator is not the only one.

I urge the Senator to read the transcripts of the extensive hearings of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality on prostitution.

I urge the Senator to read the academic reviews.

Senator Ivana Bacik to continue, without interruption, please.

I do not want to engage in a conversation across the floor-----

Why not?