Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate in the near future on the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, which has yet to be ratified by Ireland. The Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, sent me a letter on the matter on 11 November last. I am a member of the Council of Europe Advisory Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men. The Minister's letter stated:

My Department, in co-operation with other relevant Government Departments, Agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are presently putting the outstanding arrangements in place to facilitate the ratification of this Convention before the end of 2009.

Ireland's failure to ratify the convention puts it in the same position as countries like Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. I hope our existing human rights record will demand that we associate with countries that have a better record. It is imperative that we ratify the convention by the end of this year.

The subject matter of the convention was highlighted this morning by the Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, who mentioned that 175 children who are asylum seekers are in the State and separated from their families, in conditions that are far worse than they should be. While human trafficking is not an explicit issue in this context, the possibility of a higher threat or risk of trafficking of these young individuals cannot be discounted. Ms Logan also said that, shockingly, 419 separated children have gone missing in the last decade. As Senators might recall, it was reported in June that 22 children are missing from HSE care under asylum schemes. Concern has been expressed that a significant proportion of these children were trafficked into the State for forced labour or sexual exploitation. When they are accommodated in a State hostel, they are kidnapped, in effect, and forced into work. Accordingly, it is vital that this convention is ratified. I ask the Leader to arrange a discussion on this matter. The Minister is doing his utmost to ensure the convention is ratified. This issue is regularly raised at the Council of Europe Advisory Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men. It is important that Ireland is ahead of all other countries. Perhaps the Opposition can raise this issue in Private Members' time.