Feargal Quinn (Independent)

This section will permit the Legal Aid Board to grant legal advice to a person who is a victim of human trafficking in the context of an alleged trafficking offence or related offences. This extension of legal aid is welcome but I understand that the Free Legal Advice Centres, FLAC, hope that it might go further. FLAC notes that the section does not extend a right to legal aid, which is the right of representation in court, to the victims of trafficking. The bulk of the assistance offered is also confined to the very limited crime of trafficking. Very few people in Ireland have been identified formally as such. Finally, according to FLAC, the legal aid is available only with regard to matters connected with the commission of the offence or any other offence connected with the alleged trafficking offence. Thus, it does not appear to include assistance or representation, as necessary, to help victims of trafficking with immigration or domestic problems or with seeking compensation from the wrongdoer.

I am not familiar with this area but I hope I am outlining the concerns of FLAC correctly.