Originally Posted by Hitch 22

Why would a man pay for sex with a prostitute when women already give it away for free?
You would have to be a pathetic loser to ever have to pay for what is as free as rainwater if you only bother your backside to go get it.

I imagine there’s many reasons including a few that are married. I personally don't see the point if the girl is not into it, go take care of things yourself and save a few bob.

prostitution will happen legal or not, it's the oldest profession, for sure some people choose sex work, others are driven to it by desperation. human nature being what it is there will always be some willing to pay, whatever we think of those invovled we cant pretend prostitution wont happen.

my concern is for those among the sex-workers who would rather do something else but they're trapped. it's not that hard for us to come with ways to help these people.

if we keep the sex industry illegal or underground then criminal elements will step in and those involved are at severe risk of exploitation and violence. the cirminal element will seek to control, manipulate the sex workers to maximise their profits; that could take the form of keeping someone adicted to drugs, physical abuse, physchological abuse, financial dependence, probably many other things

if the industry is legalised those involved can be protected. they can be sex workers as long as they choose and when they want to do something else they can walk away. regulation can ensure proper working conditions and remove the risk of exploitation, violence. in addition provision of counselling services, education as appropriate to help people as they need it / want it.

also why are brothels illegal, do we want this industry underground with all the problems that creates ? why not properly licensed brothels run by fit-and-proper people (ie not criminal gangs), all workers declared, the taxes collected can fund social benefits for those workers, education programs, anonymous numbers sex workers can call, whatever makes sense

Originally Posted by Reck-less

Prostitution is legal in Ireland, are you happy with escorts paying taxes ?



As in say, e.g., the Rose of Tralee escorts?

Escorts is a ludicrous term. Where do they escort?

Originally Posted by Twin Towers

Escorts is a ludicrous term. Where do they escort?

Between the sheets.

Legalise it, regulate it and tax it.

Originally Posted by b.a. baracus

Between the sheets.

Legalise it, regulate it and tax it.

Sheets are an extra.

Because it's illegal does not mean they are not being taxed. They just pay it to pimps instead of the govt. (Yeah, i know...)

I think hookers' collectives might be the way to go. It makes them owners, frees them from pimps, and is suitably anarchist. I hear that during the Spanish civil war, there was an anarchist collective of hairdressers in Catalonia- my guess is that it was a front for hookers.

Originally Posted by LOCALHERO

Because it's illegal does not mean they are not being taxed.

Prostitution is legal in Ireland, what's unclear is if tax (Income, VAT) is paid - as per OP the Inland Revenue in the UK prosecuted a sex worker for not paying tax.

cYp

FF destroyed the tax base in this country with too much dependence on the construction sector. Now it is time to tax all economic activity that is profitable so tax riding.

We need the money to pay for the dole, health, education etc. So, tax the prostitutes, tax the pimps, charge rates on their property (being used for business purposes). Tax the lot and impose penalties and interest on late payments. That will help the budgetary position. As for moral issues, I am not too concerned. Is paying for sex legal? Maybe not but not declaring income for tax purposes is illegal.

Originally Posted by cyberianpan

In Ireland prostitution is legal and the media frequently report it as a thriving business (street solicitation,advertising and brothels are however illegal).

In the UK the Inland Revenue has prosecuted an escort for non payment of taxes:
£1000 a night 'high-class' escort jailed over £120,000 tax fraud - Telegraph

Does the Irish Revenue take a similar attitude to tax compliance by escorts ? Would you be comfortable with escort's taxes paying for your public services ? Personally I am,though have some ambivalence as the rest of the laws around prostitution make it less safe for the escort -with liberalisation I'd be whole heartedly comfortable with taxation.

cYp

Of course they should pay taxes