Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat the Trafficking of Human Beings in Ireland is currently at an advanced stage of drafting in my Department.

In line with the approach taken to the development of the first National Action Plan, there will be a process of consultation in relation to the second Plan with relevant State, Non-governmental and International organisations prior to its finalisation. There is a well established working group structure, led by my Department, that meets on a regular basis to consider various issues relating to the issue of human trafficking and this structure will be utilised for the process of consultation.

Subject to that process of consultation being completed, I hope to be a in a position to publish the second National Action Plan in the coming months.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking of Human Beings in Ireland identified the need to establish links with airlines to develop awareness among staff of the issue of human trafficking.

In 2012 the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of my Department, in consultation with their counterparts in the United Kingdom, developed a training resource for airline staff and this is available on my Department's dedicated anti-human trafficking website www.blueblindfold.gov.ie. Since that time, joint communications by the Irish and United Kingdom authorities have been made with airlines flying into and out of both jurisdictions seeking their support to help in the fight against human trafficking by providing training to airline staff on the indicators of human trafficking.

A second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings in Ireland is currently being drafted and will address further follow up action in this regard.