Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

These investigations are very complex and time consuming. The Garda have to go through procedures in regard to identification and assessment but it is not true to say that there has not been action. There have been three European arrest warrants granted in regard to people who were trafficking into this country. Major prosecutions are taking place in a number of European countries, including Romania, in regard to events which happened in Ireland. We have worked very closely with Romania, the UK and the Netherlands on this issue. We have a specially designated human trafficking unit in the Department, where a number of officials work with State agencies and NGOs in order to try and address this problem. It is working very well and they are pushing out the boundaries on what more can be done to assist in this area. As the Deputy is aware I propose in the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill to extend the period of recovery and reflection to a higher level to give people an opportunity to be looked after and to co-operate in order that we can ground a prosecution in this respect.

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