Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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180. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to reports from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission that an emerging trend in human trafficking into Ireland involves the trafficking of pregnant women for the purposes of illegal adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49942/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) is the National Rapporteur on the Trafficking of Human Beings, as provided for in Article 19 of the EU Directive on preventing and combatting trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims.

The role of the National Rapporteur includes the identification of potential trends and risks in the trafficking of human beings.

I understand that the potential risk of trafficking into Ireland for purposes of forced adoption is one possible emerging risk that is referenced in the forthcoming submission by IHREC to the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings in advance of the Third Evaluation Round of Ireland. This submission will be published by IHREC on 18 October 2021 and any possible emerging risks identified therein will be assessed and appropriate action taken.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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181. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the collaboration that exists between her Department and a group (details supplied) with respect to combatting human trafficking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49943/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the Santa Martha Group, established in 2014, is a global partnership between the Roman Catholic Church and International Police forces, including An Garda Síochána, dedicated to eradicating human trafficking and modern day slavery. In Ireland, the Santa Martha Executive Working Group tasked the Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick to submit a report titled, ‘Human Trafficking and Exploitation Project on the Island of Ireland’.

Mary Immaculate College collaborated with AnGarda Síochána, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and my Department in connection with the report. An Garda Síochána provided official figures on human trafficking in this jurisdiction. These figures were also provided to the Department of Justice for the annual Trafficking in Persons (TiPs) report compiled by the United States State Department.

Members of the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit within the Garda National Protective Services Bureau also made available their expertise to the researchers throughout the lifespan of the project.