Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 144: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when Ireland will sign and ratify the Council of Europe Convention Against Trafficking in Human Beings; the steps he has taken to bring Irish criminal law into line with the requirements of the convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30711/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The question of Ireland signing and ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in human beings is currently being examined.

Legislation creating a criminal offence of trafficking in persons for the specific purpose of sexual or labour exploitation is contained in the Criminal Law (Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Offences) Bill 2006 which is currently being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. This Bill will allow for compliance with the criminal law requirements of the Convention. However, the Bill will be more comprehensive than dealing only with trafficking issues; it will also provide greater protection to vulnerable persons, in particular children, against sexual abuse and generally keep our legislation in that respect up to date.

As regards the treatment of victims, the current immigration procedure in Ireland allows victims to be dealt with sympathetically. Compliance with the Convention will require a more formalised process for dealing with trafficking victims. However, in practice it would not result in any major change in the way cases are dealt with at present.