Young women and children were being accosted by "punters" going to prostitutes in the Arbour Hill area of Dublin, the Dáil was told.
Benburb St had been the area for that "service" but the fallout from the LUAS works meant that prostitution had been "displaced" and a large number or women were plying their trade in a major residential area of Arbour Hill, according to Labour's justice spokesman, Mr Joe Costello.
He said it was particularly undesirable and dangerous that the punters were accosting young girls and women who were just walking in the area or going to the shops.
Mr Costello said gardaí should be more assiduous in arresting clients as well as prostitutes. If more of the clients were brought to the courts and if there was more "naming and shaming" it would be possible to reduce the activity.
At a recent public meeting, residents were very angry and expressed their concern and annoyance that nothing was being done and that "Garda patrolling is totally inadequate". However, the Minister of State for Justice, Mr Brian Lenihan, said the area was regularly patrolled and there was a concentrated and visible Garda presence in the area.
In addition, two gardaí had recently been assigned to specifically deal with street prostitution in the Bridewell District.
Mr Lenihan said Garda management had said a "concentrated, visible Garda presence continues to be maintained".
