Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy McNamara for raising two important matters and giving me an opportunity to respond. In relation to the first one, which is a very serious matter, the Government's response to this is to pass the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill. Of course, not knowing the specifics of the individual case raised, but taking it as an example of a broader issue, we saw the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill passed in the Dáil in recent days. It is now moving forward into the Seanad. As the Deputy knows, as a person who participated here, this will put a revised national referral mechanism on a statutory footing, making it easier for victims of trafficking to come forward to be identified and to access supports. This shows how serious this country, on a legislative basis, wants to take the issue of human trafficking because the issue highlighted is indeed extremely important. We saw some progress in relation to Ireland's rating in the Trafficking in Persons report. It is nothing to write home about. We have a lot of work to do in relation to this situation. However, in 2022 we saw some positive progress made in relation to that between the legislation being brought forward by the Minister, Deputy McEntee, which will go through the Seanad, and also the human trafficking strategy. I want the Deputy, the individual he mentioned and anybody seeking to exploit Ireland to know that this is an issue we will and do take extraordinarily seriously. There is also very significant collaboration between An Garda Síochána and Europol and Interpol and, of course, police forces in the UK as well. If the Deputy wants to give me any more specifics in relation to that case, I will be happy to pursue that as well. We have seen some examples of convictions that show signs of progress.

In regard to the second part of the question, I have noted the Deputy's comments and I have read some of his questions in relation to this in public media in recent days. I accept his bona fides in raising an important issue on which the Minister wants, and indeed has sought, answers.

I need to slightly push back on the assertion with regard to the Department of Justice because I am informed that what we do know is that the details of an individual's criminal record were transmitted from the International Protection Office, IPO, of the Department to An Garda Síochána at the time of its original receipt from the UK authorities.

I am happy to allow the review to do its business. It is quite appropriate that the Minister wants to ensure the loop is closed with regard to this because we do actually have a strong legislative basis. It is very clear that anyone who comes to Ireland who has been convicted of a sex offence abroad must register.

I should also be cautious in what I say because there could potentially be criminal proceedings with regard to any hypothetical case. The law of the land is very clear regarding the obligation on any individual who is convicted of a sex offence to register and there are criminal sanctions should that person choose not to do so.

Therefore, what the Minister is seeking, and I fully support her in this regard, is clarity on this case and, indeed, any other cases like this. I know the Deputy tabled some questions today and the Minister will respond to him in that regard. However, I am satisfied that this matter is being taken seriously and that we have a firm rules-based system. We always have to keep on striving to do better. We all share that view right across government. Rules are in place. Rules need to be enforced and need to be seen to be enforced. Every person who enters this State does go through the Schengen information system, SIS, check. The SIS check is a centralised secure database used by European countries for maintaining information on what they call alerts.

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