The French parliament has voted for a new law making it illegal to pay for sex.
Anyone caught paying for the services of a sex worker could now be fined up to €3,750, while a first offence will see a fine of up to €1,500.
The law means that an estimated 30,000 sex workers in France will now be treated as victims rather than as criminals.
Ruhama, an Irish charity that helps women affected by prostitution and trafficking, welcomed the move and has called on the government to follow France’s move.
Ruhama CEO Sarah Benson said the charity believed that the approach of "decriminalising the seller, and targeting buyers, pimps and traffickers is by far the best way to reduce the exploitation inherent in the sex trade and tackle the organised crime gangs that run it".
She continued: "We are very hopeful today that these really positive developments in France will give our own new Government the impetus it needs to ensure justice for some of the most vulnerable and exploited women and girls in Ireland."
