Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 136: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures his Department is considering to deal with the problem of trafficking in persons, involving the recruitment, transfer and sale of vulnerable people (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40801/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that legislation creating an offence of trafficking in persons for the specific purpose of sexual or labour exploitation is contained in the draft Criminal Justice (Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Offences) Bill. This Bill has been approved by Government and is currently being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

This Bill will comply with the EU Framework Decision on combating trafficking in persons for the purpose of their sexual and labour exploitation. It will also fulfil the criminal law requirements of two other international trafficking instruments, the Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, which supplements the UN Convention against transnational organised crime and the 2005 Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in human beings.

I am informed that An Garda Síochána, through the Garda National Immigration Bureau, takes a proactive approach in preventing and combating trafficking of human beings. Participation in joint operations, in particular with the United Kingdom Immigration Service, is ongoing and recognises the vulnerability of the Common Travel Area to abuse by persons engaged in illegal immigration and associated criminality.

At a national level the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) continues to liaise with Government and non-governmental agencies, such as Ruhama and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), to ensure ongoing liaison and cooperation, including the exchanging of any information relating to suspected human trafficking.

While the number of incidents of human trafficking reported remains low, An Garda Síochána, through the activities of on-going operations such as 'Operation Quest' and 'Operation Hotel' will continue to monitor the sex industry in Ireland and ensure that all instances of suspected trafficking are thoroughly investigated. Operation 'Quest', in particular targets foreign nationals involved in the sex industry, while 'Operation Hotel' targets the trafficking of human beings for exploitation.

On 5th May this year I launched a poster campaign, organised by An Garda Síochána and facilitated by Crimestoppers, designed to encourage victims of trafficking of to report their plight to the State authorities. Posters have been displayed at airports, bus and railway stations, hostels and hospitals and Garda stations. I can assure the Deputy that victims of trafficking are treated with respect and dignity and are provided with assistance by the State when they come to the attention of the authorities.

I am informed by Garda management that eighty-five persons have been arrested on suspicion of committing a breach of the provisions of Section 2 of the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000. Proceedings have been initiated in respect of twenty-four alleged breaches of the provisions of Section 2 of the Act. To date three persons have been convicted in respect of a total of ten breaches of the provision concerned. A trial date has been set for later this year in relation to a further twelve alleged trafficking offences.

The Scheme of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill makes provision for a new and integrated framework for the effective management of migration to the State. An integral part of that framework will be the ability to make and publish statements of the Government's immigration policy in relation to any aspect of immigration, including, where necessary, victims of human trafficking. In the context of the proposed legislation, it will be possible for a suitable immigration policy statement to address all of the issues concerning the treatment of victims of human trafficking in an appropriate manner.