Darragh O'Brien (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Cuffe for agreeing to share time. I was interested in Deputy Coveney's contribution and I ask the Minister to take his proposals on board. I welcome this legislation. We must examine the human side of this. I will encourage my Government colleagues to examine the notion of temporary residency. The legislation has the right thrust about it in protecting people. We must consider the human side and ensure that when trafficked people are found they are not deported at the earliest opportunity. Like many previous speakers on this much needed Bill, I welcome the fact the Minister has brought it to the House so speedily. Shortly after his appointment the Minister flagged the issue as a priority. I commend him for dealing with the legislation in such a focused manner. Before the election many of us received organised representations from constituents asking us to ensure this legislation on criminal law and trafficking was brought forward to ensure Ireland is compliant with the EU framework decision, the Council of Europe convention and the UN Protocol on the criminal law and law enforcement elements of human trafficking. I hope my constituents in Dublin North who were in touch with me over the last few months will see that we take it seriously. Our goal is to move toward ratification of the Council of Europe convention, which deals comprehensively with victim protection. Ratification of the convention cannot take place until changes are made through this legislation. I look forward to this country ratifying the convention in the near future.

Any legislation that helps to protect the most vulnerable in society must be embraced wholeheartedly. Organised criminal gangs make substantial profits from the exploitation of poor people, both young and old. Organised crime across Europe and the world simply uses human beings as commodities. It sees people as a means of making profit and has no regard for human rights. The people involved in such crimes are devoid of scruples or morals. Ireland must take a stand and play a part in smashing these criminal gangs. It must do its best to eliminate human trafficking in Ireland and across Europe.

I welcome the establishment of a high level group, which will include representatives of the Garda Síochána and relevant Departments, to combat human trafficking. The group will draft a national action plan. It is important that we deal with this issue in a focused fashion. The main purpose of the action plan is the prevention of trafficking and raising awareness of the issue. Many people do not realise how prevalent trafficking is in Irish society and throughout Europe. The EU has produced stark figures on the worldwide trafficking of human beings. The action plan aims to raise awareness of this among the public and, most importantly, to prosecute traffickers and anybody else involved in such operations.

We must also carefully consider how to protect the victim. The points made by Deputy Coveney on how we should deal with the human side of this problem are most important when considering amendments to the Bill. The most important aspect of protecting the victim is a focused approach to child trafficking. Ireland and its people are known worldwide as a nation that cares for the vulnerable, poor and needy. We should strive to be an example to the world in how seriously we take the problem of the exploitation of human beings. Legislation is required but real action must follow. We must make Ireland a country in which the criminal gangs know they cannot operate and a country that continues to be known as one of the foremost countries in the protection of human rights.

The problem of human trafficking, particularly child trafficking, must be a priority for the Government. The EU estimates that 1.2 million children are trafficked worldwide. A portion of them would be in Europe and would have crossed our shores. These children are mainly from poorer nations, such as those in the old Soviet bloc, eastern Europe and Africa. Legislation and enforcement will undoubtedly help but the Government must also consider how to tackle the root causes and the economic reasons for the prevalence of human trafficking in poorer nations. We must continue to further improve Irish Government foreign aid to developing nations and ensure the continued support and expansion of fair trade, which will help the countries involved deal with the problem.

Unfortunately, in developing nations life is cheap, economies are poor, there is little employment and some families give their children to be trafficked. We are aware that this happens so we must examine how Ireland can do its best as an EU member state to tackle the root causes, such as through the foreign affairs committee which met this morning and discussed the work it will do in the next year. We must try to tackle the root causes of these problems.

I support the Bill and thank the Minister for bringing this much needed legislation to the House.

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