Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

Is it not the case that this phenomenon of human trafficking affects this jurisdiction more than was contemplated until very recently and the legislation put in place is deemed by organisations at the coalface to be inadequate? Is the Minister prepared, even at this stage, to amend the immigration Bill to specify the services available to suspected victims of trafficking? Do I understand from the Minister's reply that there has been only one case where the 60-day permit was granted? Does he acknowledge that this is the area focused on by organisations like Ruhama? Such organisations have indicated that women who were believed to have been working recently in the sex industry in this country, and who may have been trafficked here, tend to be immediately relocated to their country of origin. The organisations point out that in those circumstances women require the benefit of a reflection period, as well as the support and services that this country can provide.

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