Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I share the concerns of other speakers concerning the trafficking of women, especially in light of the presentation that many of us attended at lunchtime. That event helped to bring the matter to our attention once again. Even at this late stage, legislation should be drafted by the Government so that it can be passed before the general election. We know how long it can take to pass such legislation and I am concerned that it will not be passed before the election. In the meantime, women and children are being trafficked into this country and abused while they are here. We have an obligation to ensure that practice stops and that the people responsible for it pay the appropriate penalty. We should not continue to allow young women and children to suffer at the hands of these criminals in many towns and cities throughout the country.

We need to have a debate on people trafficking and, more importantly, the Minister should draw up the necessary legislation as quickly as possible. We must face up to our obligations in Europe by signing the necessary conventions. It is imperative to do so as soon as possible.