Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

Today, Sr. Eilís Coe came to Leinster House to discuss with me and others the issue of child trafficking. It is a serious problem in Ireland. During the Taoiseach’s last trip to the USA, he said that human trafficking was not a particular issue in Ireland because our seas were so vast that people could not get here by small boats, but human trafficking is a significant problem in this State. It is happening in plain sight throughout the State. Indeed, Ireland is so bad that it is on a human trafficking watch list. Answers to our parliamentary questions show incredible figures. The number of unaccompanied minors coming to the State is extraordinarily high and approximately 60 of them are missing. They are incredibly vulnerable. Recent newspaper reports show that children who are in the State's care are being targeted by sexual predators. These children are suffering considerable damage. We are a great country for looking back at the damage that was done to people 30, 40 or 50 years ago, and we are right to be so, but here is a section of society – vulnerable children in the main – that is exploited significantly, mostly through sexual abuse. It is happening on the streets of towns and cities throughout the country.

I am asking the Taoiseach for a systemic response so that our teachers, nurses, doctors and gardaí are educated on what to look for in terms of child trafficking and exploitation.

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