Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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164. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will publish the second national action plan to combat human trafficking which was promised four years ago and which currently exists in draft stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10697/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, a second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking In Ireland, setting out Ireland's anti human trafficking strategy for the coming years, has been drafted. The Plan was developed in cooperation and consultation with our national and international partners and has regard to our commitments under international instruments and developments at European Union and Council of Europe level on Human Trafficking.

In 2015 a draft of the Plan was issued to civil society organisations active in this field. Submissions from 13 organisations and one individual were received; a Round-table meeting was held with Civil Society to discuss the issues raised in the written submissions. The feedback and outcome from these consultations and submissions, as well as recommendations for Ireland made by bodies monitoring implementation of the international instruments in this area, were taken into account when finalising the draft Plan.

Last Friday, 13 May, a meeting of the Interdepartmental High Level Group on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (HLG), which comprises senior representatives from the key Government Departments and Agencies, was held to consider the final draft of the Plan. The Group considered the views expressed in the consultation process and approved a final draft of the Plan which has taken these views into account. I expect that this draft will be submitted to me for approval in the near future and will subsequently be submitted to Government.

I should note that significant work has been ongoing in this area in advance of the publication of a Second National Action Plan; responding to a call made by Civil Society, among others, priority has been given to a review of the current victim identification process and work with state agencies and Civil Society on this important issue is already in train.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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165. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to immediately appoint an independent national rapporteur on human trafficking to bring Ireland into line with other European states and to ensure robust measures are in place to combat this crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10698/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, a second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking In Ireland, setting out Ireland's anti human trafficking strategy for the coming years, has been drafted. The Plan was developed in cooperation and consultation with our national and international partners and has regard to our commitments under international instruments and developments at European Union and Council of Europe level on Human Trafficking.

In 2015 a draft of the Plan was issued to civil society organisations active in this field. Submissions from 13 organisations and one individual were received; a Round-table meeting was held with Civil Society to discuss the issues raised in the written submissions. The feedback and outcome from these consultations and submissions, as well as recommendations for Ireland made by bodies monitoring implementation of the international instruments in this area, were taken into account when finalising the draft Plan.

The new Plan provides for consideration to be given to how further elements of independent oversight could be brought to this policy area and the issue of the potential role that could be played by a National Rapporteur will be examined in that context.

Arrangements to allow for the publication of this Plan, including submission to Government, are being put in place and I expect that publication will occur in the near future.