Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will revert to Ms Owen and her team, however, I am conscious of the clock and that members of the panel may not get another opportunity to contribute. As well as addressing Deputy Brady’s questions, perhaps Ms Owen will provide us with some final comments.

For my part, I note that reference was made earlier to human trafficking. I ask members of the oversight group and Chief Superintendent Synnott to comment on that. This time last year, there was strong international criticism of Ireland in regard to human trafficking. As far as the oversight group is concerned, this is an area that almost exclusively impacts on women and girls. International criticism came from the United States of America, in particular, which highlighted “major failings” within our system and where we were downgraded in terms of a position on its watch list. I do not believe there was criticism of any particular agency, for example, our prosecution services, but the criticism was levelled generally on our regime. Have members of the oversight group had a look at this and are they in a position to comment on where the most acute challenge is or was? I know of a recent conviction, but that was just one case. It is also true to say that instances of most unacceptable human trafficking are evident in many of our major towns and cities across the country. It is not just a Dublin capital city issue. If the oversight group has a message for the Government, what would it be in terms of ensuring that fingers are not pointed at us for having failings in our system, in our laws, or in our practices?

I give the floor back to Ms Owen and her team to deal with Deputy Brady’s questions. I noticed that Deputy Craughwell indicated he wished to speak but I do not see him now. I will hand over to Ms Owen and her committee for answers and perhaps a final commentary.