Opinion
05 Aug 16

John Halligan Slams Media Coverage of Hot Press Article

Independent TD John Halligan has hit back at criticism of his Hot Press interview.

The Minister said on Twitter:

Obviously a lot of reaction to my @hotpress interview. There was a lot of selective quoting/misquoting by media sources so I hope people...

— John Halligan (@JohnHalligan) August 5, 2016

...will read full article and draw conclusions from that. Tried to b as honest as possible, knowing that many opinions would b controversial

— John Halligan (@JohnHalligan) August 5, 2016

Most controversial+most selective quoting prob my thoughts on sex work. Have rec'd huge amount of support&obviously much disagreement also

— John Halligan (@JohnHalligan) August 5, 2016

Believe more mature debate on this needs to happen. Believe there is case for regulation, providing safe working environment,health care etc

— John Halligan (@JohnHalligan) August 5, 2016

Steering away from traffickers&criminals , garda resources better focused on these elements. Comments about lonely men & consenting adults..

— John Halligan (@JohnHalligan) August 5, 2016

Specifically aimed at cases where BOTH parties are fully willing/consenting

— John Halligan (@JohnHalligan) August 5, 2016

Halligan has been attacked – on the Sean O’Rourke programme on RTÉ Radio One – by the Catholic Church-backed Ruhama group, who are opposed to prostitution. He was also criticised by Rachel Moran, who is a former prostitute. However, he remained undaunted on the Sean O’Rourke show, where he also came across as very direct and honest.

The Minister’s views on prostitution, meanwhile, were the subject of front-page coverage in the Irish Daily Mail this morning. Articles also appeared in the Irish Independent, the Examiner, the UK Times, the Irish Sun and the Irish Mirror. There has been significant additional online coverage, with the award-winning blog Cedar Lounge reflecting in a hugely positive way on what is an impressively honest as well as entertaining piece.

You can read the full article in the current issue of Hot Press.

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