Arising from the concern expressed by the representative agencies on the trafficking of women and children and the consequences for both foreign nationals and Irish citizens, will the human trafficking Bill be introduced and the European directive on the issue adopted earlier than is now proposed? Has the matter been discussed in Cabinet, have the heads of the Bill been approved and is the Bill likely to come before the House earlier than it now appears?

The Deputy is referring to the criminal law (human trafficking) Bill. The heads of that Bill have not been cleared at Cabinet yet, it has not been discussed. It is some time away because it is not on the current priority list because of the pressure for legislation. We will keep the Deputy updated as work continues on it.