Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 502: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in providing protection for the victims of human trafficking. [23418/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána takes a proactive approach to preventing and combating the trafficking of human beings in the first instance through a wide range of measures.

In terms of supporting victims of any such crime, I am informed by the Garda authorities that victims encountered by An Garda Síochána are managed on a case-by-case basis. A training course designed by the Garda College which focuses on trafficking in human beings commenced in 2006 and has continued through 2007. It is aimed at those members of An Garda Síochána identified as likely to encounter victims of trafficking in the course of their duties to ensure that they are aware of the complexities of this type of criminal activity and that suspected victims receive appropriate assistance from the relevant agencies within the State.

An Garda Síochána has developed a significant level of co-operation with the UK authorities in this regard. Where a victim of suspected human trafficking is a minor, relevant notifications are made to the Health Service Executive and the provisions of the Child Care Act 1991 are invoked, as appropriate. Within this jurisdiction, the Garda National Immigration Bureau continues to liaise with Government and non-Government agencies, including Ruhama and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to ensure the exchange of information regarding suspected trafficking in human beings.

As part of Operation Pentameter 1 a poster-campaign was launched in both Ireland and the UK to encourage victims of human trafficking to report their plight to State authorities. Operation Pentameter 2, in which Ireland is again also participating, was recently launched by the United Kingdom. One of the main objectives of this operation is to raise awareness of the scale of the problem of trafficking of human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation, particularly among those who avail of sexual services. The undertaking of additional awareness raising initiatives in both the UK and Ireland during Operation Pentameter 2 has been discussed and plans are being formulated in that regard.

As the Deputy will be aware, I recently published the Criminal Law (HumanTrafficking) Bill. This Bill offers protection under the criminal law to victims of human trafficking. Specifically, it includes a provision whereby a judge may exclude persons from the court, during proceedings in trafficking cases, where publicity might place alleged victims of trafficking and their families at risk. The Bill also guarantees the anonymity of alleged victims of trafficking unless fully or partially waived by a judge.

Conviction for an offence under this provision carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. The Bill also allows for an alleged victim of trafficking to give evidence through a live television link, with the leave of the court in the case of adults, from within the State or abroad. In addition, it is intended that the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill will, subject to enactment, provide the necessary framework for addressing the immigration aspects of trafficking so as to comply with the relevant protection provisions in the Council of Europe Convention.

In particular, in the context of the treatment of victims, it is intended that a framework will be put in place whereby a victim of trafficking can be afforded an immediate period of recovery and reflection in the State and also, in circumstances where he or she wishes to participate in any criminal proceedings in the matter, a further period of residence to enable him or her to do so.

Finally, in order to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, I will also be introducing new administrative structures that will further assist trafficking victims. These new initiatives will be elaborated in the National Action Plan which will be developed over the next year. While there is no evidence of a substantial human trafficking problem in Ireland, the Government is determined that all necessary actions are taken to ensure that it does not become a significant problem in the future.