Equipment was being deployed at ports around the country to detect the presence of people concealed in vehicles, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Ms Mary Wallace, told the House.
Speaking at a debate on the discovery of eight dead people in a container in Wexford, she said the Garda National Immigration Bureau, established last year, had had a focus on countering trafficking and smuggling activity and had developed strong operational international links which had been evidenced by the progress in this particular investigation.
"The first successful prosecution was taken earlier this year and a number of other investigations are pending, with as many as 20 cases currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions."
Ms Wallace said the Garda we undertaking a major investigation into the Wexford tragedy, involving contacts with police in Britain, France, Belgium and Germany. Europol and Interpol had also been involved in the investigation. "A lot of progress has been made in recent days. I want to express my gratitude for, and acknowledge, the full and timely co-operation of all these authorities. A number of persons have been interviewed regarding various stages of the container's journey to Ireland. "Particular progress has been made in Belgium, with regard to the premises which seems likely to have been used as a 'staging post' as part of this trafficking operation. Charges have already been brought against an individual in Belgium," added the Minister.