Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of concerns raised in the 2005 concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women regarding trafficking of women and girls into Ireland, the lack of a comprehensive strategy to combat it, Ireland will ratify the 2005 Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9795/06]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he intends to take to combat the huge increase in trafficking of women and girls from mainland Europe to Ireland for exploitation in the growing sex trade here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9796/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 43 together.

I can inform the Deputy that legislation is at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department which will create a specific offence of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of their sexual and labour exploitation as provided for in EU Council Framework Decision on combating trafficking in persons. The criminal law provisions in other international instruments, including the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish trafficking in Persons, especially women and children, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in human beings are also being taken into account in the legislation.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that there is no evidence to suggest that there is any increase in trafficking in persons into this jurisdiction for the purposes of sexual exploitation. I am further informed that evidence of any involvement by criminal gangs operating within or outside this jurisdiction in the trafficking or smuggling of non-nationals into the State is difficult to adduce.

The Garda Síochána takes a proactive approach and is ever vigilant to ensure that any allegations relating to trafficking in human beings are vigorously investigated. A number of specific Garda operations have been put in place to discover the extent to which Ireland has been targeted by persons suspected of being engaged in trafficking in persons, to prevent such activity and, where such activity is disclosed, to gather evidence to be used in any prosecution which may be initiated. I am informed by the Garda authorities that these operations are ongoing. One such operation, Operation Quest, was established under the direction of the assistant commissioner in charge of national support services to investigate allegations that non-nationals are being trafficked into this country for the purpose of employment in the sex industry.

During the course of Garda investigations gardaí liaise as necessary with Ruhama, an NGO which assists women who are the victims of violence. Persons reporting that they have been trafficked are always treated sympathetically by members of the Garda Síochána.

I am informed that the Garda recently had discussions with the UK law enforcement authorities following the introduction there of Operation Pentameter, which was established to disrupt the activities of organised criminal gangs suspected of involvement in trafficking in human beings. The Garda Síochána has agreed to support the operation through sharing of intelligence and to put in place appropriate enforcement activities arising from any possible displacement to this jurisdiction.

I can inform the Deputy that a training programme has recently been designed by personnel at the Garda National Immigration Bureau to assist all officers in recognising people who may be victims of trafficking and to enable them to receive the appropriate assistance from all the relevant agencies. The training will be delivered to all personnel by staff at the Garda College.

In addition, the Garda Síochána participates on the Interpol working group on trafficking in women. The group has recently published a manual for investigators which is a practical guide to best practice in the investigation of this type of criminal activity. Personnel from the Garda National Immigration Bureau also regularly attend meetings, seminars and conferences designed to share information and devise policies to combat immigration offences, including trafficking and smuggling of human beings.

A working group on trafficking in human beings, chaired by my Department, is examining the extent and nature of trafficking into Ireland for the purposes of sexual exploitation and reviewing various measures in place to combat the phenomenon.