Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007, which is important because it deals with the rights of human beings and is intended to protect the weak, exploited, innocent and vulnerable. It is a clear response to the blatant human rights abuses which exist in Ireland and internationally. I will establish my position as an independent Member of the Oireachtas on the issue and on what we as legislators can do to assist exploited people.

Human trafficking, or 21st century slavery, is one of the most lucrative, globalised criminal activities of our time. There is evidence that it has grown in Ireland and one reason for this is the lack of legislation. This Bill has been introduced to combat this and I warmly welcome it. It is a sensible way forward.

I support initiatives to introduce these measures in the Dáil. The UN protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, and the Council of Europe's convention on action against trafficking in human beings must be ratified by the Government. We need to enact laws aimed at preventing this human rights abuse, penalising those who engage in it and protecting and rehabilitating those trafficked. I do not want any fudge on this matter. Governments throughout the European Union and the United Nations must be proactive on this issue. Sitting on the fence or throwing our hands in the air is not and can never be an option.

As I am discussing human rights, I cannot stay silent on how George Bush treated the Cuban people in his recent statements. Mr. Bush is an international bully and he has the brass neck to announce new measures and actions to reinforce the US blockade against Cuba. The plan is an attack on the Cuban people and an attempt to starve them into submission. This is relevant to human rights. I challenge Bush, his gang of neocons and all those who made the world a more dangerous place. They are a disgrace to mankind and a menace to those who believe in open, political dialogue.

I remind the Irish people of the 3,478 Cubans killed and the 2,099 maimed at the hands of US-based terrorist groups. This is the reality for the Cuban people and I stand by them in the Parliament today. I call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to be more proactive on this issue and to stand up to George Bush at EU and international level. We cannot have a world leader trampling on the rights of the Cuban people and reinforcing and worsening the blockade.

During the coming weeks, Mr. Philip Agee, a former member of the CIA will visit Ireland. I urge all those who believe this is a one-sided issue to listen to him. He was granted asylum in Cuba and has written extensively on the role of the CIA in Latin America during the 1960s and 1970s. He is a world authority on the operations undertaken and the methods used at that time. He will be in Ireland to promote a new film about the CIA and the undeclared terrorist US war against Cuba, a war which——

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