David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I welcome the Minister of State back to the House and commend the independent group on tabling this very important motion. I support the broad thrust of it, and I support the sentiments expressed by the Senators who proposed and seconded the motion in a very forthright and passionate way. Human trafficking, primarily of women, but unfortunately, sometimes children and even a small minority of men, is cruel, inhumane, indecent, immoral and a form of modern-day slavery, as the motion states. It is important that all politicians do what they can to tackle this issue in a comprehensive way.

I listened to what the Minister of State had to say and the Government representatives had to say. I also listened to what Senator Mac Conghail said when he asked whether the amendment tabled was attempt by the Government to deflect or to stymie the thrust of the motion - he used the word "insult" as well - or whether it was an admission by the Government that the status quo was working. He was very passionate on the issue and I support everything he said, but I must be fair and honest as well. I do not believe the Government amendment was an insult to the people who tabled the motion. I do not believe it is a statement from the Government that the status quo is working. Listening to what the Minister said and what the Government representatives have said, I think they are very genuine in their concern about this issue. No one in this House could stand over the trafficking of women or stand over the exploitation of women and children, and sometimes men as well.

However, I am torn because I believe it is important we do not rush into introducing legislation. I accept the points made that this issue has been in the public domain for a long time and has been discussed politically for many years, and I would have been part of many discussions about it. In fairness to the Government, it is a complex issue to legislate for. The Government should be given some time and space to come forward with legislation that is comprehensive, that will work and that will not have unforeseen consequences. Some people here may not agree with that, but I am of the view that because of the importance of this issue and because our objectives are the same - to end the exploitation and to end the trafficking of women - we have to be absolutely clear that whatever legislation is in place works and makes it impossible for people to traffic women. I want this to end. I want to make it absolutely impossible for anyone to be able to traffic women and use them in the most degrading way, as Senators pointed out. I find it abhorrent that this happens in any society. It is one of the most indecent things that can be perpetrated against any individual. However, I am also of the view that we must get it right. For that reason, I am minded to support the Government's amendment, not because I believe that the thrust of the motion tabled by the Independent Senators is wrong or damaging in any way but because I believe we need to give the Minister of State time.

The way out of this - it is something that was sought by the Independent group - is an explicit commitment from the Minister of State that she will come back and give a clear explanation on what the Government will do. If that was forthcoming from the Minister of State, perhaps the Independent Senators would also support the Government amendment. Senator van Turnhout said in her contribution that we are not going away. We are not going away.