Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I also commend Deputy Naughten for tabling this motion and for his constant efforts on behalf of immigrants to this country, highlighting the difficulties they face, their efforts to integrate and the injustices they suffer.

Being from Wexford, I have a particular interest in this motion, arising from the unfortunate fact that Rosslare Port seems to play a prominent role in the trafficking of people into this country. I have no doubt that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, as a Wexford man, is well aware of the problems faced in Rosslare Port.

It is now two years since an undercover reporter with the BBC exposed Rosslare Port as being the preferred route for traffickers from eastern European countries to gain access to Ireland and Britain. This was a stark admission that sent a shiver down the spine of many of my constituents.

Unfortunately, however, it has not sparked any action from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform or the Minister. Rosslare was identified as having some of the most lax controls of any of the early points of entry and there has been little or no improvement in controls or specific measures to address the situation in the intervening period. I ask the Minister for increased procedures and controls at Rosslare Port and a greater Garda presence to curtail the trafficking that is taking place through the port.

The gardaí in County Wexford have uncovered two prostitution rings in the past six months, reportedly involving people from eastern Europe. There is a definite link between the prostitution rings in County Wexford and our proximity to Rosslare Port, I have no doubt this is the case. In my town, Enniscorthy, there have been two prostitution rings uncovered in the last year. The situation at Rosslare Port must be addressed as soon as possible. Human trafficking is the third most lucrative crime after arms and drug trafficking so the same resources must be invested in tackling this crime if we are to stop it.

The statistics are there for all to see. A minimum of 102 women and girls have been clearly identified in the recent report on sex trafficking in Ireland, with 11 children identified. Up to 97% of the women involved in indoor prostitution in Ireland at any given time are migrant women.

These are alarming statistics. In spite of 153 investigations into alleged trafficking, and 73 potential victims identified by gardaí, there have been no convictions. This is a damning statistic for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Government should also be ashamed by the recent condemnation by the US State Department in its report on human trafficking, which stated that the Government of Ireland does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. This is a terrible reflection on this country in the 21st century, that we cannot comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Lest we forget, human trafficking for sexual exploitation is a modern form of slavery. I call on Fianna Fáil Members to support this motion. If they had any interest or real feeling, they would support it.

We must do our utmost to improve the protection of victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation. We must send out a clear message that Ireland intends to stand firm on this matter and will not be an easy option when it comes to human trafficking. Our motion outlines a number of areas where improvements can be made to address this ever-growing and disturbing crime.

I call on the Minister of State and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to look at Rosslare Port and the amount of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation that has taken place there. This is a huge problem in County Wexford because we are in south east. More controls should be put in place to stop this forthwith.

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