Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies for their contributions. Many topics were raised but specifically with regard to the regulation, the timing between St. Patrick's Day and Easter meant we were a little tight for time on this. I appreciate that it is always better to be able to come forward as soon as possible.

As I said at the end of my initial contribution, the overall objective of the regulation is to make sure we codify much of the work that is already happening across the EU in regard to human trafficking and people smuggling, and that we enhance the co-operation between An Garda Síochána and police services across the EU so we can support victims. This is about making sure that those who are victims of human trafficking are supported by identifying the gangs who are exploiting them and benefiting from their misery. As we have all said, many have died at sea and some have lost their lives when arriving here in containers, and some of those trafficked who are now in prostitution or forced labour are in dire situations. This is about protecting them and getting to the source of those who are involved in inflicting this misery.

More broadly, we have to do more when it comes to human trafficking. According to the figures referred to by Deputy Tóibín, the 1,000 cases predominantly refer to the sexual exploitation of a child, which is also an offence under the human trafficking Act but is not directly related to human trafficking. There have been three prosecutions in one case of those responsible for human trafficking, and that was just in 2021. While it is not enough, it is a start and we need to make sure we build on that progress.

One of the biggest challenges we have is that people have not come forward in the past.

That is because the only route they can go is through An Garda Síochána. Many people do not trust the police in their own jurisdiction, so they do not come forward here because they do not think they will be helped. They worry about their status and believe that without a visa or without a valid permit to be here, they may be deported. We are developing a new human trafficking strategy with An Garda Síochána and many of the NGOs and organisations working in the space. By the end of this term, we will also have enacted the sexual offences in human trafficking legislation which will put on a statutory footing a new route for people to be able to come forward. It will not just be the responsibility of An Garda Síochána. The Departments of Health and Social Protection will also be involved as well as the NGOs and agencies which support and work with vulnerable victims.

I want to stress that anyone who does not have a valid visa or permit who comes forward will not be penalised or criminalised. We will work with them to support them and make sure they get the assistance they need. It is also about raising awareness in terms of human trafficking. I do not think it is something that Irish people think about or certainly they have not done so in the past. There are campaigns going on working with the likes of the International Organisation for Migration and others. It means working with airlines, freight and transport companies and our ports. The hospitality industry is an area where people may be particularly vulnerable. Our security services are also important in looking at any particular situation or organisation where there might be an increased risk of people being trafficked.

More broadly, we have National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. A huge amount of work is done by many people to try to highlight this as an issue. I fully appreciate that we need to do more. The new legislation and the new strategy will help in continuing to raise awareness. We cannot do this on our own.

Many people have touched on the issue of the migration pact. While this is separate, it is obviously working hand in hand. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing in the migration pact that will not benefit Ireland. This is not about keeping people out; it is about making sure that those who genuinely need our help and support get it. It is about quicker processing. If those in need of help get a quick decision, they will get access to help much more quickly. Economic migrants who genuinely do not need our help should be going through legal pathways. If they are given a negative decision, they should be returned home. Where they have support in other member states or where international protection has already been granted, it will ensure they can be returned more easily even though there may be a potential risk. In this regard, we are talking about a small fraction of people and this should be identified at an early stage. Also, where there needs to be solidarity, we could potentially benefit from that as well. There is nothing in this pact that does not benefit Ireland. I appreciate that we need to be working with colleagues. It will come before the Houses before there is any agreement on it.

Separate to the justice committee, where it will be discussed and debated in the next two weeks, a briefing will be available to Deputies to allow them to understand the mechanics and the detail of it. This will ensure they are not coming into the House without having that level of understanding. I thank colleagues for their support. It is really important, where possible, that we opt in to these types of measures. We are different from other member states that automatically have to take part in them. We need to show that we are willing to work with our European counterparts to tackle such an awful crime and support those who are its victims.

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