No progress has been made on reviewing Ireland’s sex work legislation, more than three years overdue. The Department of Justice is yet to announce a timeline for completion, although Justice Minister Helen McEntee is expected to decide soon. The legislation, which criminalized the purchase of sex in 2017, faced criticism from groups like the Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland (SWAI), advocating for decriminalization. The review, initially assigned to solicitor Maura Butler SC, faced delays, and McEntee announced in July 2023 that a new person would be commissioned to complete it. The current law criminalizes paying for sexual services but not receiving money for them, leading to concerns for sex workers' safety. SWAI argues for full decriminalization, emphasizing that it doesn't mean condoning trafficking or exploitation but recognizing sex work as labor with workers' rights. An Garda Síochána assures that crimes against sex workers are taken seriously, with ongoing engagement and safeguarding checks to protect vulnerable individuals.