Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the trafficking of women and children or vulnerable persons continues to be combatted at international level; the countries cooperating or not cooperating in this effort; the actions taken or pending against the perpetrators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27800/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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While responsibility for issues relating to trafficking of persons lies primarily with the Minister for Justice, my Department also engages with this matter at the international level.

Ireland actively engages with European Union and United Nations efforts to combat trafficking in persons. This includes our work across the UN system, including at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council. In particular, Ireland is a strong supporter of the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, whose mandate has a specific focus on trafficking in women and children. Ireland regularly engages with the current holder of the mandate, Professor Siobhán Mullally, in the context of the UN Human Rights Council and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, both of which consider human rights issues of concern.

At EU level, combating trafficking is a key priority in the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, which was recently extended to run until 2027. The Plan’s objectives include promoting measures to prevent and fully eradicate trafficking in human beings, including by countering impunity for all perpetrators involved.

Finally, Ireland provides core funding to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). IOM works in partnership with governments, the United Nations, international and non-governmental organizations, the private sector and development partners on all aspects of counter-trafficking responses: prevention, protection, and prosecution.