Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The House will be aware from answers to previous questions, most recently on 23 October 2007, that the struggle against the heinous crime of trafficking in human beings is a matter of grave concern at national, EU and international level.

On 11 October, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform announced a programme of measures on human trafficking that will lead to Ireland ratifying all relevant international instruments. The Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007 is currently on Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann. The primary purpose of the Bill is to criminalise the trafficking of persons into, through or out of Ireland for the purposes of their sexual or labour exploitation or the removal of their organs. Enactment of the legislation will ensure compliance with the criminal law aspects of the various international instruments.

It is intended that the proposed immigration, residency and protection Bill will provide a framework whereby a victim of trafficking can be afforded an immediate period of recovery and reflection in the State. This is a requirement of the Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings. In addition, the Bill will, in certain circumstances, provide for a further period of residence for victims of trafficking.

As well as the legislation on criminalisation and reflection periods, many other provisions are required under the Council of Europe convention, particularly regarding victim care. These will be implemented administratively rather than legislatively.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is establishing a new high-level group on combating trafficking in human beings. This high-level group will oversee the development and drafting of Ireland's first national action plan to prevent and combat human trafficking. It is envisaged that the national action plan will be developed under four main headings: prevention and awareness raising; prosecution of traffickers; protection of victims; and child trafficking. As stated earlier, all these measures will enable Ireland to ratify all relevant international instruments in the area of human trafficking.

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