David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Apologies have been received from Senator Tony Mulcahy. The purpose of this meeting is to engage in a discussion with transition year students from Scoil Phobail Bhéara, Castletownbere, County Cork, in respect of their school project "Life Leeches - Trafficking Changes Lives", which deals with the issue of human trafficking. On behalf of the committee I am pleased to welcome Ms Helen O'Shea, Ms Claire Harrington, Ms Elaine O'Sullivan, Ms Ellen Creedon and Ms Marie Murphy, chaplain at the school. The format is that our guests will be invited to make an opening statement of approximately five minutes duration and that this will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Our guests have come a long way and we do not want to detain them because they will have an equally long journey home.

Ms Ellen Creedon:

Do you know the number to call if you suspect or discover that a person has been trafficked? Good afternoon, my name is Ellen Creedon and I am part of the young social innovators group which produced the report "Life Leeches - Trafficking Changes Lives" and which comes from Scoil Phobail Bhéara, Castletownbere, County Cork. We are 18 transition year students who volunteered to compile a report on this topic and we are very determined and passionate in terms of making a difference in respect of the issue to which it refers.

Trafficking in human beings is a form of modern-day slavery. It can be rooted in poverty, poor education, lack of opportunities, gender discrimination, social and political violence and demand for services. Victims are often lured away from their homes with promises of better jobs. Instead, they are forced into dangerous, illegal or abusive work. For the purposes of our project, we set out to learn about human trafficking and to educate our peers and the community about it. We set out to raise awareness of the topic locally, nationally and internationally. We hope to use our research and make recommendations on the issue to the media, the Government and the travel and hospitality sectors and education bodies. We want to be agents for change in order that we might in some way make a difference. We discovered that both adults' and our peers' level of knowledge or awareness of the scale of this issue is poor.

Only 14% of our peers surveyed were interested in the topic, while 42% of adults surveyed said they were. We decided that we wanted to do something about this.

Human trafficking is often hidden and forgotten about and people do not realise the extent of trafficking into, out of and within Ireland. As the members probably know, in 2012 in Ireland, the Department of Justice and Equality dealt with 48 cases of victims of human trafficking. Of these, 39 were cases of sexual exploitation, six were cases of labour exploitation and three were uncategorised; 31 of those involved were female, 17 were male, 25 were adults and 23 were minors. Of these 23 minors, 19 were involved in sexual exploitation.

The life of a victim is never really profiled in detail and people are not exposed to the effects on the victim, how much they have suffered and how to identify a victim of human trafficking. Human trafficking ruins lives before they have even begun. Some people are simply born at the wrong time in the wrong place and into the wrong families. Ireland is a destination, a source and a transit country for men, women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour. Irish people have been trafficked for labour in Australia and for prostitution in the Netherlands.

It is estimated that 27 million people worldwide are trafficked each year and 2.4 million people throughout the world are lured into forced labour as a result of human trafficking. Women and girls account for about 80% of the detected victims while child trafficking accounts for about 15% to 20%. Sexual exploitation accounts for about 80% of the detected cases. In 30% of the countries where the gender of the offender was known, more women were convicted for human-trafficking-related offences than men. An estimated 2.5 million people are in forced labour, including sexual exploitation, at any given time as a result of human trafficking. The majority of trafficking victims are between the ages of 18 and 24 years.

Human trafficking affects every country in the world, even if it is to varying degrees. It affects every continent and every type of economy. Every country is affected, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination of victims.

Ms Helen O'Shea:

In doing this project we have learned and developed new skills and have had many new experiences working at raising awareness and educating our entire school community, our local area and the country on human trafficking through the medium of the Young Social Innovator. We have used social media such as Facebook and Twitter to raise awareness of the topic, to educate people on human trafficking and to keep people informed of our work on this cause. Through reports, statistics, quotes, photography, videos and music, we have maintained interest, informed many minds and challenged many people to be more vigilant.

Throughout our work we have sought advice, information and guidance from the Department of Justice and Equality, the office of the European Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, the human trafficking investigation and co-ordination unit in An Garda Síochána and the anti-human-trafficking team in the HSE. We have worked with a number of non-governmental organisations such as Ruhama, Cois Tine, APT Ireland, the Immigrant Council of Ireland and the Sexual Violence Centre Cork as well as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. We have joined and promoted campaigns such as Turn off the Red Light, Don’t Close Your Eyes to Human Trafficking, Stop the Traffik, Blue Blindfold, Blue Heart and Purple Teardrop among others. We have circulated our report and recommendations to all interested parties, including our local TDs, Senator O’Donovan, Seán Kelly, MEP for Ireland South, interested NGOs, faith-based groups such as APT Ireland and MECPATH and local and national media. We are making our research and material available to various NGOs and interested bodies to help continue to raise awareness and educate people on this crime, which shames every one of us. We hope that our novel and comprehensive approach to the topic will in some way help the cause of eradicating this modern-day slavery not only in Ireland but worldwide.

We are a far more educated and aware group of young people on the reality of human trafficking in our country and worldwide. We are even more motivated and enthusiastic about doing something to make a difference. We have done things that we never thought possible, such as attending the meeting today and interviewing trafficking victims. We dealt with much media attention, particularly local print media, and Face Up magazine will be doing an article on our research and our recommendations. People in NGOs are taking our endeavours seriously and are willing to listen to our recommendations. In May we will meet with the Immigrant Council to discuss our work. We are following media coverage of the international conference entitled Stop the Traffick, which was held in Dublin last Thursday, which is the most recent report published.

We would like to help and be involved in new ventures such as the REACH campaign launched last week, the detection training for airport staff being offered by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, developing an educational app on trafficking and designing a short course on human trafficking/modern-day slavery for the new junior certificate curriculum. As William Wilberforce said: "You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know."

Ms Elaine O'Sullivan:

I am here today to speak to the members about the actions that our group, Life Leeches, has taken in raising awareness and educating people about this cruel crime. From completing surveys, interviews and questionnaires and talking to professionals, it was clear that awareness was needed right now. We attempted to identify the best way to educate our peers and society. We designed and ordered wristbands using the colour blue, which is the international colour for sex trafficking. Our wristbands also glow in the dark, in order to show people that there is always light through the darkness. These were distributed to all pupils and staff in our school. In school, we showed regular material on digital notice boards. We had a presentation at a whole assembly, lesson plans for CSPE classes, a presentation to staff, and a poster campaign which highlighted the dangers of human trafficking in all rooms around the school. We set up a Facebook page, Life Leeches, and a Twitter page, @LifeLeeches. Each of these pages is very active and informative with regular posts including statistics, quotations, poetry, posters, photography, media articles, art, music and events. We gave out an information booklet on trafficking to parents in the first-year pack. This booklet could be made available nationally or via the websites of national parents' associations. The booklet is similar in content and design to that published by the Donegal anti-trafficking group.

Creative members of our group designed a board game as well as a story book for younger children to help them understand the dangers of human trafficking. A photography exhibition on the theme was held in the town library, including images of child labour, child brides, organ and tissue removal and child soldiers. We have compiled a CD with a playlist of songs and poetry and we have completed a YouTube video on the theme of human trafficking. One of our group members wrote and performed a song on the theme entitled "You Are Not Alone" which is also a hit on YouTube. We worked with Soulwaves Media Productions to create a radio and television advertisement which we have distributed to local and national radio and television stations. We wrote our own drama on human trafficking and used this as part of our speak-out for the Young Social Innovator. In it we focused on sex exploitation, labour exploitation and organ removal. This was powerful in conveying our anti-trafficking message. We completed a leaflet with film and book reviews and made a collage of art by people from around the world based on the theme. We created an art piece that we hope could be used on various products, including the trays in food outlets, in-flight magazines and ferries or even on napkins and coffee cups. Three experts from the organisation APT Ireland travelled to our school and together we discussed our research as well as their work. They have been most helpful with our project. We continue to work together on this topic.

We feel that the approach that we have taken to human trafficking has been comprehensive and somewhat effective on a local and national level. We would like to think that we have made some difference, but we also hope that the various interested organisations across our country can use our approach, our research and our enthusiasm to continue to make people aware and to educate and motivate young people like us to do something for all those who are voiceless worldwide. As President Barack Obama said:

[W]e see you. We hear you. We insist on your dignity. And we share your belief that if just given the chance, you will forge a life equal to your talents and worthy of your dreams.

Ms Claire Harrington:

I am here today to share with the members what we would like to see happen in regard to human trafficking in our country. It has been internationally recognised that our Government has fully complied with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. However, we suggest a number of possible approaches to addressing the issue. We would like to see our Government enact legislation, lead policy development and provide resources.

We feel strongly that the approach needs to be multifaceted and must include raising awareness, education, legislation, regulation, technology and help and support.
In terms of raising awareness, we have made positive use of social media and we feel this should be replicated in future awareness work. We would like to see TV and radio advertisements like those for road safety and cancer involving the late Gerry Collins. We suggest posters on billboards, bus shelters and road signage. We think a broadening of focus is necessary. It is more than sexual exploitation; more focus is needed on labour exploitation. We think goodwill ambassadors in all countries highlighting the issue would be positive. We hope our material, research and experiences can be used to further the cause. We would like to see anti-trafficking groups such as the Donegal group working on a local level under the umbrella of an all-Ireland national anti-trafficking plan.

On education, we would like to see a module for the new junior certificate on human trafficking. We recommend the development of an educational app. There should be ongoing and compulsory up-to-date training for all staff at points of entry to the country. Indicator cards need to be freely available on how to recognise a victim. More public information campaigns are necessary in libraries, schools, colleges, on computer search engines, airports and ferry ports. A variety of up-to-date resources need to be created for schools - both primary and secondary. We believe information leaflets must be distributed by car hire and travel agents.

On the legislative front, there is an urgent need for a clear, concise and comprehensive definition of human trafficking which will encompass all forms of modern day slavery – within or between countries, criminal or otherwise, and not differentiating between victim or form of exploitation. We want to see health and safety protection for victims and meeting the needs of the victims enshrined in the law. We believe international co-operation is paramount in the sharing of information, vigilance, prosecutions and the movement of people.

We would like to see buyer and seller prosecuted and sentences given, which would deter others from engaging in the crime. To quote the APT presentation to the committee in 2006, “sentences must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Similar to drug trafficking or money laundering.” Just yesterday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Parliament recognised that sex-buyer legislation is the most effective method of combatting the problem. The Government needs to remove the demand for the sex trade. This lucrative, low-risk business needs to be tackled. Victims must be treated as innocent victims and not as criminals and cared for by the Department best equipped to deal with their specific needs and given time in suitable care before a decision is made about their future. There must be specified care for trafficked children and the family of origin. Care must be provided to victims, regardless of involvement in helping with prosecutions or immigration status. A clear distinction must be made between trafficked person and illegal immigrant. We believe it is urgent that there is statutory requirement for the ongoing training for all those dealing with trafficked people.

We firmly believe labour exploitation needs to be tackled in the hospitality sector, domestic, child minding, restaurants and agricultural work by means of regulation. Property owners must be made to account for the purpose of premises they rent out. There must be a register of dance clubs, massage parlours, au pairs and language school students.

We must investigate whether a Nike tracker technology could be used to tackle this issue. This is a tracking device installed in the shoe. We must also investigate whether Bluetooth technology could be used to promote an important international hotline number. We think there should be a pre-installed help app for victims on all mobile phones. We want to see employment locations, such as escort agencies and massage parlours, obliged to display a legal notice of help available for staff. Trafficking and other social issues need to be highlighted by search engines such as Google. We insist that mobile phone companies should be obliged to request ID for all SIM card purchases, hence a database of ownership. We feel map pins of mobile phone movement patterns might be able to aid mapping the movement of suspected victims.

On the help and support front, we want to see a continent-wide helpline in Europe with easily memorable numbers. There should be a 24-hour phone line with a human response which is well advertised and promoted. All embassies and consulates worldwide must update information and promote awareness of trafficking. We need a co-ordinated central website with links to all 68 agencies and interested parties. All care must be culturally sensitive for the victim. Ireland needs to develop support networks and structures in all counties. We believe the Government must provide human and financial resources to tackle awareness, education, research, care and support.

Ms Ellen Creedon:

If members think this does not happen in their constituency they should think again. It can surface anywhere at any time. It could be anyone’s son or daughter, niece or nephew. We have demonstrated what we have done. What will members do?

Elaine O'Sullivan:

The number to call is 1800 250025.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the witnesses very much.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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We should have a round of applause.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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That is only the third time we have had a round of applause at this committee. Members are quite stingy with their applause. Well done.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Applications forms are available for the Technical Group. I thought I would get in first.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Senator O'Donovan indicated that he wished to speak. The girls are from his part of the world.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Thank you, Chairman, and fellow committee members for agreeing to have the students come before the committee. It was not just my decision. I am a west Cork man myself so I pay the students a particular welcome. I understand the long journey involved. It takes approximately two hours to get from Castletownbere to the train station. The students are more than welcome. I am very proud and impressed with what I have seen today. What they produced was very professional and displays maturity far beyond their tender years. I understand the group has received an invitation to Trinity College. I wish everyone well with that. The group before the committee is only a small part of the overall number involved.

I am impressed by the motivation and enthusiasm displayed and the work that has been put into the presentation which is very professional. Other committee members have commented on the great research. Credit is due to Ms Murphy for coaching the group and helping them. I will not delay proceedings. I am very impressed with what we heard. We have done work on the issue previously. Other members wish to speak. The group is more than welcome to Leinster House. I hope the students enjoy their day. They should be very proud of themselves. I am proud of what they have achieved. I wish them well. We will take note of the excellent suggestions made. It is another building block on the road to stopping trafficking and prostitution, in addition to the Turn Off the Red Light campaign. The group has done wonderful work. I congratulate everyone involved.

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I join with my colleague in welcoming the students. The project has been very well worked through and the students have come up with some tremendous proposals. I propose that we would forward the report of the class to the office of the Minister, Deputy Shatter, because it contains some innovative suggestions that I have not heard previously which would help people who are in the unfortunate situation of modern slavery in this country. I will find it fascinating to follow the paths of the students as I have no doubt we will hear from them again.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Before we go on to the next speaker I propose that the work would be forwarded to the Minister for his comments and attention. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Could it be circulated to Members also?

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Kenny might already have the submission but we will check to make sure that is the case.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I must say I am genuinely blown away by the scope of the presentation and the various elements covered as well as the innovation shown in terms of campaigning and the recommendations thereon. We constantly deal with major problems in the public sphere and challenges in the State but every now and again one is pleasantly surprised in politics when one least expects it. I found the presentation inspirational. It gives me much excitement as to what the future holds for this country to see young women of such calibre make an outstanding presentation.

I wish to indulge the students. Ms O’Shea quoted William Wilberforce.

I am from Buncrana, County Donegal, which is at the extreme other end of the country. The students will be familiar with the hymn, "Amazing Grace", the first lines of which are:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.

However, the challenge continues, as there is modern-day slavery. Although a huge advance was made in the time of William Wilberforce, modern-day slavery persists. It is hidden, not open, as people are not brought in through the ports and openly sold. The practice is hidden, comes in through the airports and works its way through businesses. However, the recommendations made by the students are practical and logical and were they implemented, would make a huge difference in taking on this insidious industry. Once again, this was a really inspirational presentation and I thank them so much for lifting my spirits today.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for that and for sharing that very interesting story with us.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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I am still blown away by that story about William Wilberforce, with which I was not familiar. I join with others in congratulating all the students on a really good presentation that was clear, insightful and full of useful ideas. It is very good to hear, as this is an area of great interest to this committee. Members reported last year on the issue of prostitution and of course as the witnesses pointed out, trafficking and prostitution have a very strong linkage. The joint committee's report argues specifically that demand should be tackled through criminalising the purchase of sexual services, which itself would have a knock-on effect in reducing the extent of trafficking. Consequently, members are very interested in this area and I thank the students for this presentation. I absolutely support the proposal that the report should be referred on to the Minister for Justice and Equality.

I am glad to hear the students are visiting Trinity. I am a Senator for Trinity, for Dublin University, and I hope we will see the witnesses back in Trinity as students in the not-too-distant future. The students have all-----

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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The Senator is trying to bring Trinity up in the rankings.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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Absolutely. Senator Mullen is an NUI Senator.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The witnesses should stick with UCC.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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In respect of debating and public speaking, the students have already proven themselves here today, so well done to them.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I extend a warm welcome to the witnesses before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. In common with my colleagues, I thought their presentation was absolutely excellent. It contains a lot of detail and many new ideas and as my colleagues have noted, the joint committee will be bringing forward some of these ideas to deal with and react to the issue of human trafficking. As for the new creative stuff, I loved the idea of the wristbands, which I thought was a great idea. I also liked how the students mentioned the storybook for younger children, the CD and the involvement of Soul Waves media productions, as well as how they have written a drama on human trafficking.

I refer to a problem the students will have seen from their own research, in that when they asked their own classmates, only 14% of them knew about the issue, in comparison with a figure of 42% for adults. The issue on which the witnesses have shone a light is the necessity to find other ways to bring people along and to educate them. The students have given the joint committee ideas in this respect, of which adults of necessity would not think. While they might think to mount an exhibition or something like that, the students have provided five or six highly constructive ideas and I reiterate the need to get out there in this regard.

I have a couple of questions, if that is all right? When the students were carrying out this project, what was the reaction of their peers, namely, their own classmates in school to it?

Ms Elaine O'Sullivan:

At first, they were not aware of it and so did not even know what human trafficking was about. Our school covered this issue two years ago, but only in respect of child trafficking and not general human trafficking. We were able to make them more aware. While they were not really interested as such, we came up with all the ideas and tried to make them interested and one will now find they definitely are interested. As to the atmosphere, were members to visit our school, they would see posters everywhere. They now know what human trafficking is, which was our aim.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Members of the Oireachtas regularly have debates on the exploitation of children, the modern media and similar issues. Is this a subject that comes up among the witnesses' peer group and classmates? I do not refer specifically to human trafficking but to the exploitation of, for example, girls aged between 12 and 16 years in modern society, about which some members have concerns. Does this come up as an issue among the students' friends or peers?

Ms Ellen Creedon:

They mostly simply are shocked at the fact that children are involved in something so horrible and serious. They are interested in the fact that we are so interested in seeking to make a change. However, the fact that children are involved gave them a huge shock and they realised it is a serious thing.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Many Members are concerned that in modern society, many young boys or girls are not allowed to live out their childhood. This is a concern they have and I wished to make that point clear. However, I reiterate it was an excellent contribution. I wish the students the best of luck and the joint committee will support most of their ideas.

Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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I also welcome the witnesses to this meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. I have been following their Facebook campaign for a while and thank them for the presentation. Members have heard many presentations in recent years from different organisations and it was very refreshing to hear a presentation from people of the students' age. They gave the figures on the low percentage of people of their age group who knew about trafficking and even the percentage of adults is also quite slow. Because members work in this area, they assume that everyone knows about these issues but in fact they do not. I propose to the Chairman that in addition to sending a copy to the Minister for Justice and Equality, one should also be sent to the Minister for Education and Skills. The students mentioned in their submission the possibility of having a programme in the junior cycle to educate students in this regard.

It is extremely important that young people are aware of and are campaigning on this issue from a young age. Trafficking for work and for labour, as well as for sexual exploitation, is a huge issue. Members heard a presentation yesterday about trafficking slaves for cannabis growing. This is on the rise here in Ireland, where people are brought over and are sent into places to grow cannabis. If those people are found and arrested, it is those who have come over who will be in trouble and arrested, not the person who trafficked them over. Consequently, trafficking has many aspects and I again congratulate the students and urge them to keep it going. I do not suppose they brought any of their wristbands with them?

Ms Elaine O'Sullivan:

Each one of us is wearing one.

Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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But there is not one for everyone in the audience here.

Ms Claire Harrington:

We have run out of them.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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If the students are ordering more, some members of the joint committee might also be interested in wearing them.

Ms Claire Harrington:

That is no problem.

Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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I thank the witnesses.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has proposed the joint committee should send the report to the Minister for Education and Skills. Deputy Finian McGrath has seconded the proposal.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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First, I join in the well-deserved congratulations to all the witnesses. I thank them both for their concern about this issue and for the amount of work they have put into this report. I also was delighted that my colleague, Deputy Mac Lochlainn, mentioned William Wilberforce. The witnesses have chosen the ideal exemplar, to whom John Newton's conversion was such an inspiration. William Wilberforce stated that God has set him two tasks, namely, the abolition of the slave trade and the reformation of manners. He of course was not referring to good manners as were that the case, reform still would be necessary around here. He meant the change of behaviour in society, because it was a very brutal time in which there were many social problems.

This report and work shows that it is not just about changing laws; it is about changing public attitudes. It is about changing the way men and women see each other. Just looking at the array of different ideas and suggestions they have here, they are clearly in touch with so much of what needs to be done culturally.

What I would like to ask them is this. Social media are often seen as both a blessing and a curse. Social media can be used for tremendous good but they can also be the place where people are cruel to each other, cynical, laddish, etc. Do they see social media as more of an opportunity than a threat in trying to promote the kinds of attitude that will make the exploitation of people and their trafficking a thing of the past?

Ms Elaine O'Sullivan:

I would most definitely say it is an opportunity. If one looks at our Facebook page, one can already see the number of people engaged worldwide. We get personal messages and it shows that people everywhere have noticed simply because of social media. It is the same on Twitter as well. One can promote all of the positives and promote any sort of awareness, as we are currently doing. It definitely is working.

Ms Helen O'Shea:

We have heard from victims who personally messaged us on Facebook. They were so happy that we have come up with a page where they can talk to us and tell us how they feel, and they joined our campaign and helped in promoting this as well.

Katherine Zappone (Independent)
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I echo my colleagues' congratulations. The presentation represents extraordinary learning as well as creativity on the part of those involved. Just the way they spoke, the power of their voices and the way they began and ended - all of that adds to the impact of what they do. I congratulate them.

I have one or two questions. When they ended their presentation, I was thinking about where they were going with this. I am glad Deputy Anne Ferris already mentioned the Minister for Education and Skills. I was going to make the same recommendation.

I want to know what the witnesses' plans are. Can they say a little more about developing this short course on human trafficking for the junior certificate and also the educational app on trafficking? Have they been in touch with anybody to help support them in doing that? Are they still working on this initiative as part of transition year?

Ms Elaine O'Sullivan:

We came up with the idea, but we did the research and found that apps are very expensive, so we are not able to fund one. That is why we have put our ideas to the Government - in particular, because it would be able to fund the app.

Katherine Zappone (Independent)
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What about the junior certificate course?

Ms Elaine O'Sullivan:

Maybe we could contribute to the content of the course, because we did the research and we know what people need to know.

Ms Claire Harrington:

Under the current junior certificate curriculum, students have no idea about human trafficking because they have never been taught. As the new junior certificate is coming in, we feel that could be a short course so that students will have awareness.

Ms Helen O'Shea:

We had a day with first years. It was a double class and we made up a PowerPoint presentation. We showed them what human trafficking is and showed them pictures. They were shocked, and now they understand the term "human trafficking".

Katherine Zappone (Independent)
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That is good. I suggest the witnesses get in touch with those who design the curriculum, such as the NCCA. A good next step might be to send the NCCA the report and information on what the group wants to do. The NCCA have the staff who can write the courses up, but the group has the content. I thank them.

Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I join the previous speakers in thanking the group for its presentation. It was very well researched and they were very articulate. I am glad I attended this meeting to listen to it. Given that they are here in the Oireachtas at a public hearing, the recording of this meeting should go out to as wide an audience as possible. They will make a contribution to bringing human trafficking to an end. I am delighted that they have done this. I think it will be successful.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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As Deputy Seán Kenny suggested, a webcast of this will be available on the Oireachtas website and the witnesses can see themselves in action. I join my colleagues in congratulating them for their work and for coming here today. This is the second time we have had a transition year group in here and it is great to see young citizens of Ireland presenting to the Oireachtas - a joint committee of Senators and Deputies who listened attentively to what they had to say and took seriously what they said. They have educated us today and I thank them for being here. This is their Parliament, their Oireachtas. As young adults, they are more than welcome to attend. We attempt roughly once a year to engage with transition year students. We are aware that they are terribly busy with their studies and other matters and that they are not always able to travel.

Does Ms Murphy want to comment at this stage?

Ms Marie Murphy:

I thank the members for the opportunity. The students have done the work and I saw it as an appropriate progression for them to present their findings to the committee.

In relation to the development of the app and the junior cycle short course, we would like to see that as a possible development with regard to this project. The girls will transition into fifth year next year but it is something that we would hope to work on, maybe as a school, with the NCCA and the Professional Development Service for Teachers, PDST.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The previous group that presented here were from Mallow and their project was to do with missing persons. They suggested that we inaugurate a national missing persons' day. On foot of that, and with the backing and support of the committee members here present, the Government decided to go ahead with that and it was held on 4 December last in Farmleigh. It was a moving experience. Those whose loved ones had disappeared over the years without trace were present and it marked the fact that it had happened. This group's work is on a par with that. We will - I think I can speak for colleagues here - be supportive of what they do and the suggestions they have made.

I acknowledge the presence in the public gallery of Sr. Ann Pender and Sr. Catherine Dunne, who are also active in this area. I thank them for their presence and their work in this area.

Unless anybody has any further comments or questions, the committee will suspend until 5 p.m. The select committee meets at 3.15 p.m. to deal with some other matters.