Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

I thank Deputy O'Rourke for sharing her time. I am delighted to be able to speak on this issue, which is so important. I thank Deputy Naughten for bringing it before the House. It is apt that we are approaching the 12 days, commencing next week, which will highlight the problem of violence against women. In dealing with our constituents we all hear these sad stories about the plight of women and children being trafficked between countries for the purposes of sexual or labour exploitation. It is horrendous and leaves behind a trail of trauma, abuse, displacement, separation from families and so much more.

This debate is important in reminding the House of the seriousness of such offences, the need for our country to play its part in the international crackdown on trafficking, and for Ireland to show compassion and care in treating victims of trafficking. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and other State agencies have made progress in bringing Ireland's responses more into line with those of our European neighbours.

The measures provided for in the 2008 Act are significant in that they set out the framework for punishing those convicted of human trafficking. In particular, there is provision for a penalty of life imprisonment for offences such as the selling of individuals, or the purchase or offer to purchase individuals. This sends out a very strong signal to those who might be thinking of this nefarious trade.

The Department's anti-trafficking unit is another part of the State's process for combating and dealing with human trafficking issues. The unit does great work with State agencies, NGOs and others to make the responses co-ordinated and cohesive. There is no point in having an arm of the Government doing one thing, but not knowing what the other arm is doing. We need a strong, cohesive drive to combat human trafficking, which is horrendous.

Non-governmental organisations involved in the fora established by the unit are crucial to this work, particularly in raising awareness in society at large. If the public is not aware of these issues the chances of cracking down on human trafficking are diminished. When we walk along a street or go into a shop or restaurant we do not know whom we are standing beside. They may be trafficked people who are being policed. We must ensure that the laws are there to combat such trafficking.

I compliment members of An Garda Síochána on playing their part in the legislation that is now in place. Combating human trafficking is one of the main priorities of An Garda Síochána. The provision of specialised training at the Garda training college is very important in this regard. More than 1,000 gardaí have received training in the detection of human trafficking.

Cross-departmental and State agency training is also vital, and the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA, has been to the fore in this respect. We have read stories about people who have been trafficked into Ireland who are living in appalling conditions. They receive hardly any pay and live in cramped conditions. They lose everything, including their human dignity. That has to be stopped.

Deputy Naughten referred to the current Immigration Bill and its implications for victims of trafficking. I am pleased that the period of recovery and reflection is now expected to be extended to 60 days on Report Stage. That is already in place in the administrative immigration arrangements. Victims need compassion as well as time and space to recover and adapt to a world where their experience of terror has been lifted. They must be given a chance to assist An Garda Síochána in preparing cases for prosecution. The work of An Garda Síochána has already helped to bring about prosecutions in Romania and has led to charges being brought in other countries.

Like Deputy Connick, I remember the time when a container arrived through Rosslare and came to County Kilkenny. It was parked and some unfortunate victims of trafficking escaped into woodland at Inistioge, near where I live.

I want to see the issue of migrant women in prostitution being covered by the Department's anti-human trafficking unit. I hope the Minister and his Department will rectify this at the earliest opportunity. The Government must build on the work it has done on this issue.

I will finish by citing the poignant words of Maya Lou Angelou, that great poetic voice for women. Her wisdom says it all for us, "The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." Our laws need to be the safe place for trafficked women and victims of sexual abuse.

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