Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While I agree with most of the points made by previous speakers, there is a slight difference between the position of certain countries and our position. While the European Union must address its responsibilities in a more serious manner, we should not forget that the EU is a union of states within which there is a certain amount of resentment towards immigrants. It should be borne in mind, for example, that people are being elected to national parliaments and the European Parliament on the basis of their antipathy towards immigrants. It is not entirely the European Union which has shirked its responsibility on this matter, although I agree it is in the best position to co-ordinate a response. It must first establish safe havens in the countries from which people are being trafficked and intervene in a meaningful way to ensure traffickers no longer have free rein to do as they wish. Women and children are being trafficked, abused and knowingly sent to their deaths when they are sent out on the high seas.

An alternative suggestion is to establish safe havens for migrants in Europe and a properly structured refugee reception centre for people who are being driven from their homelands. The reason people are desperate to leave their home countries is that they are living in conflict zones where people are starving and human rights are ignored. Women, in particular, are conscious of the fate that awaits them and their children if they remain in these countries. The joint committee should involve Mr. Peter Sutherland, the United Nations special representative for migration, who echoes these views from time to time. We should also contact various people, including the EU High Representative, Ms Mogherini, with a view to co-ordinating efforts. It is fine for people elsewhere in Europe to argue the problem is one for Italy and Greece. However, it is a Europe-wide problem and one for which every European country, including Ireland, the United Kingdom, France and the Scandinavian countries, have equal responsibility. I would strongly support any move to approach our European Union colleagues at Commission level to try to activate people who are of like mind.

It is no good allowing the traffickers to continue to do their damnedest without interruption. I am sure all Deputies have dealt with cases involving women and children who were drugged while being trafficked to ensure they could not recall their experiences. The particular drug used in these types of cases prevents trafficking victims from giving evidence because they cannot remember what happened to them.