Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way and the steps through which the Gardaí intend to improve their co-operation with other police forces in relation to human trafficking; the size of the dedicated allocation of Gardaí to Operation Pentameter; and if this number will be increased. [2841/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that in recognising the international dimension to the phenomenon of human trafficking the Garda Síochána is actively participating in a number of anti-human trafficking related initiatives involving law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions. Liaison at international level between the Garda Síochána and other law enforcement agencies through the exchange of information, intelligence and best practice forms part of the approach of the Garda Síochána to tackling this crime. A network of members of the Garda Síochána are employed as liaison officers in major cities of a number of EU Member States and in international organisations such as Europol and Interpol to assist in the anti-human trafficking work of the Garda Síochána.

Gardaí participate in high level meetings organised by Europol, Interpol and Frontex and also inter-act with countries of origin of those suspected of being victims of human trafficking. The Garda Síochána and officials from my Department are taking a lead role in an anti-human trafficking initiative known as the G6 Human Trafficking Initiative. This G6 Initiative involves Ireland, the UK, Poland, Italy, France, Spain and the Netherlands as well as the international organisations, Interpol, Europol and Eurojust. The most recent meeting of the G6 initiative was hosted by Ireland at Dublin Castle on 15 January 2008. As part of this Initiative the Garda Síochána has commenced an operation designed to prevent the trafficking of minors into, out of, and within the State. The operation aims to ensure that the welfare of suspected victims of such criminal activity is adequately provided for, and to commence prosecutions where criminal activity has been detected.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the United Kingdom Immigration Service and the Garda Síochána facilitates the exchange of data and further enhances the working relationship between the immigration services within the Common Travel Area. Co-operation is taking place in a number of ways, including intelligence sharing, joint training and operational cooperation where investigations have a cross-border, UK/Ireland dimension. Operation Pentameter is a proactive and co-ordinated campaign of activity to tackle the trafficking in human beings for sexual exploitation throughout the common travel area of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Operation Pentameter 2 was launched by the UK Home Secretary on 3 October 2007. The operation is led by Gloucestershire Constabulary. One of the main objectives of Pentameter 2 is to raise awareness, particularly among those who purchase sexual services, of the scale and nature of the problem of trafficking of human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation as a means of reducing demand.

A senior officer at Detective Superintendent rank from the Garda Síochána has been appointed as liaison officer with Operation Pentameter and sits as an observer on the Operation's Gold Command Team. He continues to meet his counterparts in the UK on a regular basis with a view to ensuring that coordination of activity between the two jurisdictions in tackling human trafficking is in place. Joint operations by the Garda Síochána and UK Immigration Service continue to be part of immigration policy to prevent and detect abuses of the Common Travel Area by human traffickers. Over 175 personnel, Garda and civilian, are allocated to the Garda National Immigration Bureau and members are deployed in relation to matters arising from Operation Pentameter and other anti-trafficking operations as required. Personnel attached to bureau have received training in the investigation of human trafficking to an international level. The Garda Síochána has developed its own human trafficking related training course. The UK Human Trafficking Centre and the International Organisation for Migration have assisted in the delivery of the training courses. The training has been delivered to about 150 participants in 2006/2007. Through the Garda Síochána's involvement in Operation Pentameter a number of officers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland have also participated in the training courses provided by the Garda Síochána Training College. Within this jurisdiction, the Garda National Immigration Bureau continues to liaise with governmental and non-governmental organisations, including Ruhama and the International Organisation for Migration, to ensure the exchange of information regarding suspected trafficking in human beings.