The All Party Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group has been told by experts on human trafficking that pregnant women are being smuggled into Ireland so their babies can be sold for adoption here.
The terrifying details are contained in a soon to be released report by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (HREC).
At the latest meeting of the Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group, lawyer and IHREC member Sunniva McDonagh and human rights advocate Dr Ewelina Ochab briefed members of the group about the terrible reality that babies of smuggled pregnant women are being sold on the black market in this country.
Responding to the shocking news, Independent TD Carol Nolan, who co-chairs the Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group said: “It is now clear there is an urgent ethical and political imperative to prevent emerging trends within human trafficking in Ireland from gaining a foothold here. We must make Ireland a cold house for anyone who thinks they can engage with impunity in this horrendous and brutalising illegal activity.”
A recent report from the US pointed the finger at Ireland for falling way behind other western countries in addressing the issue of human trafficking and its treatment of trafficked people. The US has warned the Government that if improvements in this area are not forthcoming quickly it could have serious implications for the continuation of US pre-immigration clearance at Dublin and Shannon airports.
The lackadaisical way successive governments over the past decade have dealt with the issue of human trafficking is utterly inexcusable. It is another indication of senior politicians having their priorities all wrong.
The Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group is to be commended for drawing attention to this scandal and for the tireless work they are doing to ensure urgent action is taken to bring these horrendous practices to a speedy end.