Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister and the opportunity to have a discussion on this evil crime, which is a societal issue. We must do everything we can to prevent trafficking, protect potential victims and prosecute offenders. Some time ago I read an article in one of the daily newspapers which discussed human trafficking between Vietnam and Cambodia. It highlighted an example of how it was carried out, how the person described escaped and gave a detailed account of life under this regime of sex exploitation. If the person did not abide by the rules, she was physically abused. It was horrific to read her account of what happened. It was at that stage I knew this was a major issue and that we must do everything in our power to work towards stamping out the problem in this country.

Having read the Minister's speech, I am glad he has introduced an action plan to protect victims. Measures within that action plan are helping to meet this objective. The Minister has taken positive steps in tackling the crime of trafficking human beings, including signing up to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings on 13 April 2007 and working towards its ratification this year.

The Government is committed to the ratification of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. This will take place when legislation to ratify the parent convention is enacted. Since signing the Council of Europe convention in April 2007, Ireland has made significant progress towards ratification with the enactment of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act which came into force on 7 June 2008 and which implements the criminal law aspects of the convention. The Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 will provide for a period of recovery and reflection of 60 days for alleged victims of trafficking. In circumstances where the person trafficked wishes to assist the Garda in any investigation or prosecution of the alleged trafficking, a further six months will be made available to him or her. An administrative framework allows for a period of recovery, reflection and residency of 60 days in the State for any trafficking victims. This arrangement gives effect to Articles 13 and 14 of the convention.

With the co-operation of other Departments and NGOs, significant progress has been made on advancing the arrangements necessary to meet other obligations in the convention for the protection of victims. It is important that trafficking victims have suitable accommodation. I hope any of the instances of poor accommodation referred to by Senator Mullen are soon put right.

It is important those gardaí involved in combating human trafficking have sensitivity and understanding when dealing with victims. It was suggested there would be a conflict of interest for gardaí in dealing with the counselling aspect while implementing immigration laws. I see no difficulties arising in this area as gardaí are trained very well. Emphasis must be given to counselling those caught in human trafficking. Having some knowledge myself in dealing with problem children, victims and their cases must be treated sensitively with absolute understanding. A special unit should be established in the Department with well-trained professionals to deal with these cases. While I am glad the period of reflection for trafficking victims was increased to 60 days, it should not be strictly observed as each individual case could be very different. I always believe in a certain flexibility when it comes to timelines.

I am glad the Minister is keeping a close eye on developing other initiatives against human trafficking. While I quite like the phrase "Don't close your eyes to human trafficking", a greater awareness campaign is needed. Society must make it its responsibility to control the borders and work in co-operation with Northern Ireland, British police forces and other international organisations to combat this evil crime. It is important it is kept on the agenda. We owe that to the women who have found themselves subjected to this awful and evil crime.