Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not know if that is the case but many of the Ghanian officials who were here had very little English. To take the figures provided by Ms Buckley, which I believe to be conservative, they suggest there are a minimum of 300 undocumented fishermen. Ms Buckley was also very honest when she stated the Workplace Relations Commission will probably have to reduce the number of inspections it carries out. That is a matter of serious concern when, by her own admission, a minimum of 300 undocumented workers are operating in the industry. Through no fault of its own, the Workplace Relations Commission will now step back in respect of its inspections regime. That is not acceptable. Given the serious concerns that all members have expressed, I am taken aback that a vital organisation such as the WRC will step back from inspections.

I am delighted we had this discussion on this contentious issue because the Workplace Relations Commission has confirmed there are large numbers of undocumented non-EEA workers in the fishing industry. I am concerned about this issue and I ask the witnesses to address it to the Minister. We know how bad conditions can be for these people. The witnesses will probably have heard that two cases of trafficking have been submitted to the Garda, with a further 17 such cases in train. I hope it does not come to that. I also hope the industry will come to its senses and engage with the International Transport Workers Federation and reach a sensible agreement to keep the industry going in a way that does not disrespect workers' rights and fundamental rights such as the right to be treated with respect and dignity. However, I am extremely concerned that the WRC will have to step back in circumstances in which it knows, as Ms Buckley stated, that large numbers of undocumented migrant workers are employed in the industry.