Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I congratulate my colleague, Deputy Naughten, on bringing this issue to the floor of the Dáil. A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to read the Immigrant Council of Ireland's report, Globalisation, Sex Trafficking and Prostitution - The Experiences of Migrant Women in Ireland. Reading that prompted me to speak in the debate tonight. I pay tribute to the council on its work. It is easy for people to sweep an issue such as this under the carpet, as if it never existed. It is only because of debates such as this in the Dáil, which I hope will receive the full glare of publicity, that such issues come to attention.

I believe the situation is worse than is generally accepted. Prostitution is a real cancer in society. From a trafficking point of view, animals are treated better in terms of dignity. Against that background, anything that can be done should be done by ordinary people through the Government, Members of the House and the various agencies of State such as the Health Service Executive and the Garda Síochána. We need to do the best we can to clean up this dreadful mess.

The report by the Immigrant Council of Ireland reveals that, in the lucrative Irish sex industry, large numbers of migrant women are being sexually exploited in indoor prostitution. The report demonstrates the severe trauma and harm caused to women by trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. The 102 women who were identified as having been trafficked into this country were aware of a further 64 women who were trafficked, giving a possible total of 166 women trafficked in a short period. They are the ones who are documented. I expect the actual figure is much higher. According to that research, 11% of the 102 women were children at the time they were trafficked. One is getting to the bottom of the barrel when children are involved. There is no reason to believe many more children are not involved. The work of the various agencies involved in this area should get the respect it deserves. Every Member should take the report extremely seriously.

I understand that the vast majority of women trafficked into this country are from African countries. Women reported being transported by aeroplane, train, bus, car, boat and ferry. Many were transported by other means of transport. Some came through the United Kingdom via Belfast and were then transported to other parts of this country. With an open shoreline like ours, it is not difficult for traffickers to ply their terrible trade.

When trafficked women reach Ireland, they are sometimes passed on to Irish brothel owners who prostitute them. Other women are held and prostituted by original traffickers. In either case, documentation is usually taken from the women. In most cases the woman is then not only illegal in this country, but is without any documents. When one is from an African country, speaks very little English, with no documentation and nowhere to turn, one is in a bad place. As a nation, we should hope that the human dignity of such women will be protected. I congratulate Deputy Naughten on what he is trying to do.

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