Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. Tá a fhios agam nach ligfeadh sé don Aire Stáit teacht chuig an Teach gan deis cainte a thabhairt dom. Cuirim fáilte roimh an mBille ar son Fhine Gael. Aontaím leis an Aire Stáit faoin tábhacht a bhaineann leis. Léiríonn an t-easpa leasuithe ag an gCéim seo an méad comhaontaithe atá ann ar an ábhar agus ar an Bille seo, rud atá tábhachtach freisin.

I congratulate the Minister of State. It is important legislation, but I believe there are things that are not technically part of it in the context of human trafficking that were discussed in the course of the debate, particularly on Second Stage. One of the things I raised, and I also raised it in this Chamber separately, was the need for a campaign to have people understand how to identify the symptoms of human trafficking in order for them to report it. The Bill does put mechanisms in place that allow them to report it and take action, when they know, but many people do not know what to look for. If we are to truly address this problem, we should not shy away from a public information campaign to equip people with the skills they need to identify that because, at the end of the day, this is a problem that is pervasive in Ireland, whether we know it or not. Most of us have come into contact, unknowingly, with somebody who is the subject of human trafficking. We need to stamp it out and re-establish that it cannot be allowed to happen in this country.