Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

Equally it is not appropriate to comment in detail on the facts of any individual case, involving as it would disclosing sensitive personal information. I can say that the Minister has been informed by the Garda Síochána that in this case, as in every case of potential human trafficking made known to them, all the information was carefully assessed in determining if there were reasonable grounds for believing the woman in question was a victim of human trafficking under sections 2 or 4 of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act. As with any case, the Garda Síochána will examine any new information that comes to light.

To date, two persons have been granted the 60-day recovery and reflection period and one of these has been granted a six-month temporary residence. The Garda Síochána is also actively investigating a number of other cases. It is the Minister's policy and that of the Garda Síochána that no person who is potentially a victim of human trafficking will be removed from the State before that investigation is complete.

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