Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2019
280. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the preventative measures in place at ports here to detect instances of migrant smuggling; and the planned changes or enhancements in view of the recent tragic death of 39 persons who travelled in a container from Bulgaria to the UK. [44473/19]
View answer281. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff employed to provide security checks on ships and lorries entering at each port, in tabular form. [44474/19]
View answer282. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff employed to detect possible human smuggling at ports here, in tabular form. [44475/19]
View answer283. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if staff members at ports and airports here have received training and guidance on the detection of possible migrant smuggling. [44478/19]
View answer284. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he or representatives of his Department have met with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to discuss measures to prevent migrant smuggling. [44479/19]
View answer301. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the preventative measures in place at the main points of entry and exit to detect instances of migrant smuggling; and the planned changes or enhancements to same in view of the recent tragic death of 39 persons who travelled in a container from Bulgaria to the UK. [44468/19]
View answer313. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions being taken at each port and airport by location to detect, prevent and combat human trafficking; the funding provided for such measures in each of the past three years; if further funding has been requested; if trafficking has been detected; if so, the actions taken; the outcomes of such actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44606/19]
View answer315. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on migrant routes across the EU and the UK; his further views on whether there is a need to increase security to prevent containers being used for human trafficking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44614/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 280 to 284, inclusive, 301, 313 and 315 together.
While both human trafficking and migrant smuggling are criminal activities frequently involving criminal networks seeking to make a profit, there are important distinctions and it is important to differentiate between them.
I can assure the Deputies that the Government is fully committed to addressing the challenges of human trafficking and migrant smuggling under Irish and EU legislation and the principal international conventions and we are active domestically and at the international level on these matters.
A range of Departments are relevant to these matters.
An Garda Síochána also plays a key role in relation to the prevention and detection of human trafficking and migrant smuggling. As such, I have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the matters raised and once I receive it, I will write directly to the Deputies with that and additional information.
