Dáil debates
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage
It is essential that those who are identified as victims be given access to a panel of immigration advisers who specialise in trafficking cases. They are not at present. Obtaining legal advice should not involve a lottery. If we are to do something for the affected women, we should pull out all the stops. We should not pledge half measures to protect the women. The women are very vulnerable and some of those under 16 were forced into the country. We need to do all we can to deal with this issue. One way to do so is to speak to the women. If they bring the alleged traffickers to court, they need all the help they can get from the State. I urge the Minister to consider this, go further and give full legal representation to women who feel strong and willing enough to go to court.
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