Tánaiste Simon Harris has said he will discuss allegations relating to Ireland contained within the Jeffrey Epstein files with the Taoiseach and Minister for Justice.
He was responding in the Dáil to Labour Party TD Duncan Smith, who called for the State to fully explore witness statements and emails within the files that pertain to Ireland.
Mr Smith quoted one witness statement contained within the files which claimed that a young girl was trafficked through Ireland for "politicians and notable men for the purposes of sex".
He also read into the Dáil record an email sent to Ghislane Maxwell by a man called David Wassong which read: "Are you going to send me the name and numbers of people to play with in Ireland?"
Mr Smith said that "some form of action" needed to be taken by the Irish State to "fully explore what's in those statements and emails alone".
Mr Smith added: "Our State has a dark history when it comes to the abuse of children.
"And when we've seen from our history a pattern of those in power, be it politicians, the clergy, the police, where investigations can be shelved, victims can be ignored, and injustices ignored also, I think we need to be proactive here at the very least."
Responding, Mr Harris said it was his understanding that there has not been any specific information given to gardaí in relation to these cases, but that he would discuss it further with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan.
The Tánaiste also appealed to anyone in Ireland who may have any information to make it available to gardaí.
"You clearly had here, and I think we're safe enough to say this much, you clearly had here vulnerable young women and a powerful network of despicable, powerful men who abused them through depraved acts," he added.
Read more: What are the Epstein files
