Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 416: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will ratify the UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others. [15479/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's Question is understood to refer to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime. Many of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime have already been given effect through legislation. Additional legislation is required before ratification of the Convention can take place. This legislation is currently being drafted.

The enactment of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 which came into effect on 7 June 2008 brought Ireland into compliance with the criminal law/law enforcement elements of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Other aspects of the Protocol are being dealt with administratively in the context of the National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking of Human Beings in Ireland - which is at an advanced stage of preparation and will be published later this year - and through engagement with the Governmental and non-governmental organisations in this area. This Plan sets out structures which, when in place, will bring Ireland into line with its international obligations by providing the baseline structures for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings and the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.