Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights and it is a global problem that affects people from various regions, including those seeking better opportunities in Ireland. Traffickers prey on the dreams and vulnerabilities of migrants, promising them a brighter future but subjecting them to unimaginable exploitation.

One alarming aspect of human trafficking in Ireland is the practice of traffickers confiscating identification documents from their victims before they even land in the country. This tactic is part of a broader strategy to keep victims trapped and under the traffickers' control. Traffickers often confiscate identity identification documents for several reasons.

Addressing human trafficking in Ireland requires a multifaceted approach. It is crucial to strengthen laws and law enforcement efforts to combat traffickers effectively. Simultaneously, support systems must be in place to identify victims, provide them with the necessary assistance and ensure their safety and well-being. This includes providing safe housing, legal representation, medical care and counselling services.

While I am talking about criminal justice, I also have to speak about the system in our country. Criminal justice and trafficking is something we see happening across the world, but we have issues here with how it is dealt with in our justice system. The State solicitor service has been in existence for more than 100 years. The Courts Service has been well served by our State solicitors over the years. Malachy Boohig retired in November in 2022 as State solicitor for west Cork after 36 years. He was replaced on a temporary basis by Jerry Healy of Fermoy. He is now State solicitor for north Cork and west Kerry.

In June 2023, the State solicitor for east Cork, John Brosnan, retired and has not been replaced. It is the view of many in the legal profession that the DPP will not replace any of our State solicitors once they retire. It is also possibly the case that eventually a prosecution team will be put in place in a Cork county office where everything for Cork city and county will go through. Up to now there has been no consultation process regarding the future of our State solicitor service, which has worked well for the past 100 years. It is worrying to think that this system might be abolished without any objection or discussion. This may affect bringing criminals who carry out human trafficking to justice.

Has there been any consultation with solicitors, barristers, gardaí or the Courts Service regarding what type of service they would like? The acting State solicitor, Jerry Healy, now has twice the volume of work that he had a year ago. It is also likely that he will have to travel to courts in Bantry, Mallow, Bandon or Clonakilty. West Cork covers a very large area.

How is the DPP progressing with the review of the overall delivery of the prosecution service in County Cork? Has the report been prepared or finalised and, if so, when will this be available? Has the position of State solicitor for west Cork been advertised since Malachy Boohig retired?

These are very serious issues because we have to bring criminals coming into this country and who were engaging in human trafficking to justice. We need to have a system in place whereby justice can be carried out adequately and quickly. To have people stretched all over the place cannot be very healthy. In bringing criminals to justice, we have to consider our gardaí and the crisis we face in the force, where, despite 98.7% of the force having voted against the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, he is still in his position. That is another serious issue because we have to bring people to justice. We need to have a Garda that is strong, united and working together for the people.

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