At the outset I should emphasise that the Workplace Relations Commission inspectorate service is independent in its functions and does not comment on any ongoing investigations.
However, I can confirm that my Department had received a referral on 10th May, 2018 from the International Transport Workers Federation (ITWF) requesting the initiation of civil proceedings against the employers of these fishers in order to recover monies due to these fishers arising from their employment between 29th January 2018 and 10th April, 2018.
On 29th June, 2018 my Department requested the Workplace Relations Commission to establish the facts in relation to four Ghanaian fishers, alleged to have been the victims of human trafficking while working in Ireland on UK and Irish registered fishing vessels. The Workplace Relations Commission submitted its report on the facts in this case to my Department in September 2020.
This report was compiled following work by the Workplace Relations Commission involving interviews with the crew members, liaison with the ITWF and the National Fisheries Monitoring Centre and communications with certain fishing vessel owners. No civil proceedings are in train.