Seanad debates

Tuesday, 26 February 2008

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage.

 

4:00 pm

Photo of Lisa McDonaldLisa McDonald (Fianna Fail)

There seems to be cross-party support for the broad thrust of Senator Mullen's amendments. As other speakers have said, there does not seem to be anything wrong with including the proposals in the legislation. To wait for future legislation in order to enshrine the principles on which we agree appears to me to be somewhat kicking to touch or putting it back to a different issue which could never fully address the issues pertaining to this matter. It is known that many of the trafficked women coming to this country are from eastern European countries which are in the European Union. I do not know how the Immigration Bill will deal with this fact and I would be interested to hear the Minister of State's comments. The matter of temporary residence should be included in the Bill.

With regard to the protection of victims, the Minister stated last week that the full services of the State will be available to victims. In that case, victims' rights should be enshrined in this legislation. I refer to drug rehabilitation programmes and other rehabilitation programmes which are enshrined in legislation. Even those who have committed crimes are given help to put them on the road to recovery. It may be due to a lack of understanding of what the women who are caught up in sexual trafficking endure that this provision is not in the Bill. We have never experienced it and therefore cannot be expected to know how difficult it is to get oneself back on the road. I have listened to victims and I have spoken to people in Ruhama and we must give them the benefit of the doubt and believe what they are saying, that it is incredibly difficult. The victims of this heinous practice must be given full protection.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.