Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the meetings he has held with his counterparts from EU and non EU Member States to discuss tackling human trafficking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25122/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed the issue of human trafficking with his counterpart Foreign Ministers across the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25140/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 96 together.

Human trafficking is an important issue for the European Union. It was mentioned in the conclusions of this month's European Council, having previously been discussed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The matter came before the General Affairs and External Relations Council, which examined the draft conclusions of the European Council.

My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has primary responsibility in this area, as it is first and foremost a criminal justice matter. I see human trafficking as a matter of considerable priority which demands an effective response at EU level and, for that reason, I have raised it with European Union counterparts. I will continue to use relevant bilateral meetings to highlight our concerns on this important issue.