Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures that are being put in place at EU level to deal with the trafficking of human beings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15857/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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On 25 March, 2009 the European Commission published a Proposal for a Framework Decision on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Protecting Victims repealing a Framework Decision agreed in 2002 on combating trafficking in human beings. The primary purpose of this Proposal is to repeal and re-enact the 2002 Framework Decision with additional criminal law provisions to bring them in line with other international instruments. The proposal also contains additional non-legislative provisions. The new elements primarily deal with victim support, prevention, investigation, prosecution and monitoring.

The question of establishing an informal EU Network of National Rapporteurs or equivalent mechanisms on trafficking in human beings is also being considered at present. Information regarding immigration related criminality is collated, analysed and disseminated by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), including such information and intelligence received, on a regular basis, through the Europol and Interpol National Units, based at Garda Headquarters. In particular, personnel from the GNIB assist in investigations relating to the suspected trafficking and smuggling of persons, initiated in other jurisdictions, where it is suspected either the suspect(s) or victim(s) have entered this State.

Members of the Garda Síochána, in particular personnel attached to the National Support Services attend courses organised by CEPOL (the European Police College) concerning trafficking in human beings which are targeted at

(i) senior police officers who are responsible for prosecution services and/or counter trafficking cases,

(ii) members of lecturing staff in police training and development units and

(iii) heads of police forces who deal with questions of human trafficking.

The next training course is due to take place in Lithuania in May 2009.

Ireland attends the Europol Expert meeting on trafficking in human beings which takes place on an annual basis. This meeting allows Member States to share their experiences and provide operational case examples of trafficking in human Beings. Ireland is part of a number of Europol Analytical Work Files which provide both strategic and operational support. In this context a trafficking in human beings bulletin is circulated on a quarterly basis which is disseminated to members of the Garda Síochána. Other support provided to Ireland by Europol includes expert advice, intelligence reports, training and information exchange through the Europol Information System/Europol National Unit. Operational support can include operational analysis of investigations in Member States, coordination of investigations (e.g. organisation of meetings at Europol) and support from other Europol National Units, which in Ireland is based at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park.