Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed that Ireland will ratify the 2005 Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings; if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns in respect of the trafficking of women and girls into Ireland for the purposes of sexual exploitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4144/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland opposes, and seeks the elimination of the practice of human trafficking. The Taoiseach, in his intervention at the Council of Europe's Third Summit in Warsaw on 16 and 17 May 2005, welcomed the adoption of the Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings, as well as the conventions on terrorism opened for signature at the summit, as "[laying] down a strong marker that these evils within European Society are unacceptable and not to be tolerated".

The Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings is currently under consideration by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which has responsibility for policy in this area. Legislation is being prepared by that Department which will criminalise trafficking in human beings for the purpose of their sexual and labour exploitation as provided for in the EU Council framework decision on combating trafficking in persons. This legislation will also take account of the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. Putting the necessary legislation in place would put Ireland in a position to ratify the convention.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has met with Iranian Opposition groups (details supplied) with regard to the human rights situation in Iran including political executions and political prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4178/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have not met with the particular organisation referred to by the Deputy. The Government, of course, monitors the human rights situation in Iran closely, through our embassy in Tehran and in co-operation with our partners in the EU. This involves regular contact with non-governmental organisations both within and outside Iran.

We remain seriously concerned about human rights issues in Iran, including the use of the death penalty and the detention of political prisoners. Our concerns are raised regularly with the Iranian authorities. The meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 16 December 2005 issued a declaration on the situation in the Middle East, which reiterated the deep concern of the EU at the lack of respect for human rights and fundamental political freedoms in Iran, and called on Iran to demonstrate respect for these principles by taking concrete steps, including the permanent release of prisoners of conscience. The European Council emphasised that the development of the EU's long-term relationship with Iran will depend on progress on all issues of concern. These include the human rights situation.