Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 442: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will sign the UN protocol on trafficking and the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2747/07]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 463: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will ensure that Ireland ratifies the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings; and if he will address the issue of protecting victims in the criminal law (trafficking in persons and sexual offences) Bill. [2903/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 442 and 463 together.

I recently announced my intention to ask the Government to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. I also stated that it is intended, as part of the new Immigration policy framework, to provide a clear policy statement setting out how these cases will be managed once it is established that trafficking has taken place. I would reiterate, however, that the lack of a specific legislative provision on the victims of trafficking has in no way reduced Ireland's commitment to dealing with cases sympathetically as they arise.

Legislation creating an offence of trafficking in persons for the specific purpose of sexual or labour exploitation is contained in the draft criminal law (trafficking in persons and sexual offences) Bill. This Bill will comply fully with the criminal law requirements of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons and the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. The General Scheme of the Bill was approved by Government in July 2006 and is now with the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government for drafting. Ireland signed the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons on 13 December 2000.