Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

These questions can be examined in the context of the Social Welfare Acts. I accept the Deputy's point that the habitual residency qualification in the case of EU nationals may have to be examined in the context of a victim of trafficking. The high level group can work with the Departments on the measures required to ensure proper protection. We are committed to ratifying the Council of Europe convention, which obliges us to put this criminal legislation in place and to put in place prevention and protection strategies, so we are working through these issues.

I appreciate the concerns eloquently expressed by Deputies opposite but it is fair to ask that we are judged on the outcome of this holistic strategy which is intended to address all the elements of this issue.

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