Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I support Senator Brian Hayes's comments on Dr. Eames and the need for us to campaign against sectarianism following the terrible tragedy of the young boy who was killed over the weekend in a sectarian attack.

I also support Senator O'Toole's comments on Máire Buckley. My colleague, Deputy Costello, issued a statement about her work in his constituency yesterday; she was involved in the community through her work in education.

I agree with Senator O'Toole's comments about the need for ComReg to do something to enable churches to broadcast local masses to the community. Some elderly people in my area cannot leave the house and the broadcasting of the mass into their homes is more than just supportive, it offers them a link to the community. It is important that they receive a local mass in their homes but there are very few community radio stations. ComReg must come up with a solution to facilitate churches.

The report on human trafficking launched by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda found that Ireland was at risk from trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation. Ruhama, an organisation that works with prostitutes, dealt with 32 women last year who had been trafficked in this way and forced into prostitution. It believes that is only the tip of the iceberg. Last night's edition of "Prime Time" told the stories of women who were trafficked here and forced into prostitution, including a 14 year old girl. I ask the Leader to impress on the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that the legislation he claims the Department is preparing to deal with this issue should be given priority. It will implement framework directives which go back to 2002 and 2003 on the need for us to comply with UN conventions on transnational crime which contain a protocol on human trafficking and the Council of Europe convention on this issue.

At the moment it is only an offence to traffic someone to Ireland for sexual exploitation if he or she is under 17. There is a need to introduce legislation to ensure that anyone who trafficks people here and forces them into prostitution can be prosecuted, along with those who knowingly use the services of trafficked women and children.

Greater resources must be provided to deal with the issue. The Minister announced an awareness campaign by Crimestoppers to report trafficking. The Crimestoppers telephone number is not enough, there is a need for a dedicated helpline for the victims of trafficking. The European Parliament has called for this. The Crimestoppers initiative is good but it only goes a small part of the way to doing something about this issue.