Margaret Conlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy O'Rourke for sharing time and giving me the opportunity to speak on the motion. I commend Deputy Naughten on tabling the motion and giving us an opportunity to discuss this subject in the House. I mean this most sincerely.

The trafficking of humans violently attacks one of our basic human rights, which right we should enjoy at all times. We are very lucky to live in a developed western democracy that respects such rights but some people living among us do not have them. Therefore, we must do all we can to eradicate human trafficking once and for all. No human being deserves to be treated as a commodity. Every one of us has dignity and we must all work together to ensure that those who engage in trafficking will face the full rigour of the law.

Last night, I heard the Minister elaborate on the National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings in Ireland 2009-2012, published in June 2009. It has four main principles: prevention and awareness raising; protecting victims; the prosecution of those engaged in trafficking; and dealing with the trafficking of children.

I, too, commend Women's Aid on its dedication to addressing and commitment to women's issues. It is important that it continues the good work it started and prioritises in political debate issues such as violence against women, the trafficking of women and children and the protection of victims.

I commend Ruhama, the Dublin-based NGO that works specifically with women involved in prostitution and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation, including women who are victims of sex trafficking. For many such women, fear is a considerable factor. They fear they might not be believed and that there is nobody to listen to their story. I am thankful that Ruhama offers tremendous support to those women and has a proven track record.

Ruhama is Hebrew for "renewed life". Ruhama rightly regards prostitution as violence against women and a violation of women's rights. It provides very important supports to victims.

I do not often get the opportunity to watch television but last Sunday evening I watched the final episode of "The Clinic", which I must confess is one of my favourite dramas. It depicted the circumstances of a lady who found herself in great difficulty with regard to trafficking and prostitution. It depicted very clearly her inhumane treatment. She was a victim, lived in fear for her life and was running scared from place to place looking for somebody to listen to her story and assist her. Her story certainly mirrored what can happen, even in a country known as "the Isle of Saints and Scholars". The events described can certainly happen here in any town or village.

It is very important that the Government continues to address this issue and that we continue to make people aware that it is an offence to sell, offer for sale, purchase, or offer to purchase, any person for any purpose. We must send out a very clear message that one can face a penalty of up to life in prison for engaging in such a practice, and rightly so.

Reference was made to the anti-human trafficking unit and the manner in which it works closely with the Government, the non-governmental agencies and the international organisations. It is very important to have a co-ordinated and joined-up approach to this issue rather than having the HSE do one thing and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform or the Department of Social and Family Affairs do another. We need them all working together. It is very important that members of An Garda continue to receive training.

As a mother of three children, I believe the most disgusting act of all is child sexual exploitation. I am glad legislation is being prepared to introduce even more severe penalties for people who solicit children.

I am thankful for the opportunity to speak this evening and I wish the Minister well in his endeavours to tighten up the legislation to protect all victims of human trafficking. I wish the Minister well in his endeavours to tighten up the legislation to protect all victims of human trafficking.

See this speech in context