I raised an issue yesterday with the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys, regarding the extension of the deadline for the registry of business owners. She was to come back to me yesterday evening but did not do so. The Tánaiste might raise that with her.

I want to raise another matter. The Tánaiste will be aware that 16 people were found in the back of a truck on a ferry destined for Rosslare Europort this morning. Earlier this year, the annual trafficking and persons report for the second year in a row downgraded Ireland to tier 2. The authorities here failed to initiate for human trafficking any prosecutions in 2018. The report has identified chronic deficiencies in victims' identification, referral and assistance. I think this matter falls under the remit of the Tánaiste, as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. What is he doing to ensure that we meet our international obligations in respect of human trafficking and do not become a destination of choice for people engaged in the dreadful trafficking of human beings?

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It is a breaking story that 16 refugees have been found in the back of a truck on a ferry on the way to Rosslare from France. They are all alive and in reasonable health. That is my understanding from reading media commentary on it. I understand the Garda will be waiting for the ship when it arrives. The Government is fully committed to addressing human trafficking under Irish and EU legislation and the principal international conventions. The second national action plan to prevent and combat human trafficking in Ireland was launched in 2016. The action plan identifies six priorities, namely, prevention; training, awareness raising and evaluation; reduction of vulnerability; data collection; demand reduction; and enhanced co-ordination and co-operation. Action continues on a whole-of-Government basis in line with this plan. An Garda Síochána has committed significant resources to the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking. A specialist Garda unit, the human trafficking investigation and co-ordination unit, has been established to co-ordinate delivery of this national strategy. This is criminal activity that does not respect borders.

Hear, hear.

The Garda is working closely with the PSNI in respect of very tragic cases that have been reported from the UK and is also working with other police services in different parts of the EU. We will continue to do that in this case also.