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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Child trafficking investigation

Summary

Senator Leyden seeks to move debate on the discovery of a child in a Dublin Roma camp, stressing the seriousness of trafficking and the need to find the child’s parents.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 13 be taken before No. 1 today. A child has been found in a Roma camp in Dublin in what is a serious issue, and I commend the Garda Síochána for being so active in this regard and observing that the child is possibly not from the family with which she lives. Child trafficking is a serious crime, which leads to trauma, worries, concern, grief and despair in families which lose a child in that way. It cannot be comprehended. Authorities are now seeking the parents of the child found in Greece, and perhaps everyone should be on alert, in a sense, as this issue could be far more widespread than people realise. I hope that if the child was abducted, she will be returned to her rightful family. I hope we can bring an end to this type of criminal trafficking. A particular community seems to be involved in these cases but it is not the only one involved in the matter. This is a serious crime that occurs throughout the world so we must be very observant. Parents are worried and concerned about children and we should all look out to see who is accompanying certain families when they tour around the country.

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