Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

I wish the Cathaoirleach a belated happy Europe Day on behalf of the Green Party. I am sure he is aware that the Green Party is looking to join the European Movement, which I have championed for a long time. I remember in 1973 seeing graffiti on walls stating "EEC No", which was changed by some wag to "BBC No. 1". That reflected a wish among the plain people of Ireland to gain exposure to foreign media and culture. They also wished to share in the economic, social and environmental benefits of European membership.

I welcome the interim report. I want to see its recommendations implemented without delay. It is similar to the Green Party's immigration policy which was launched in August 2005. However, I am concerned that the Government does not have a policy in that area. The committee was unable to trace responsibility among different Departments for the different aspects of immigration and integration. This ad hoc approach is very worrying and the Government should create a Minister of State for immigration, based in the Department of the Taoiseach. I was concerned that the Progressive Democrats Party representative, Deputy Sexton, blocked that recommendation on Committee Stage.

There is no comprehensive strategy to combat trafficking of women and girls into this country. Ireland is the only EU member state with no legislation that makes trafficking for sexual exploitation a criminal offence. Such legislation must be fast-tracked.

Kennedy George is an immigrant who came from Sierra Leone. He has had to report to the Garda National Immigration Bureau 25 times in the past 18 months. Whatever we may say about Guantanamo Bay, this is psychological torture from our Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. We must ensure that we are not subjecting this young man to psychological torture on an ongoing basis.

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