Legislation to outlaw human trafficking was published yesterday by Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan as part of a package of measures designed to ensure that Ireland does not become a safe haven for traffickers. Stephen Collins, Political Editor, reports.
The Minister pledged that the new law and allied reforms would make Ireland a more hostile environment for those who might consider trafficking people here.
"While there is no evidence of a substantial human trafficking problem in Ireland, any level of this despicable crime is deplorable. I am determined that all necessary actions are taken to proactively and comprehensively address this issue and that all the necessary resources of the State are geared to achieving that aim," Mr Lenihan told a press conference.
He said that after his appointment as Minister for Justice he had committed himself to bringing the legislation forward and he was pleased that, with the co-operation of the Attorney General, it had proved possible to publish the Bill now.
The draft legislation creates an offence of recruiting, transporting, transferring to another person, harbouring or causing the entry into, travel within or departure from the State of a person for the specific purpose of the trafficked person's sexual or labour exploitation or removal of his or her organs.
Enactment of this legislation will bring Ireland into compliance with the criminal law/law enforcement elements of various EU, Council of Europe and UN human trafficking instruments.
Other strands of the Government's strategy announced by Mr Lenihan include a new high-level group on combating trafficking in human beings. The group has been asked to present the Minister with the most appropriate and effective response to dealing with trafficking in human beings.
It will be co-chaired by the director general of the Irish National Immigration Service and the assistant secretary in the Department of Justice dealing with crime, and will include representatives of An Garda Síochána and other departments and offices who have a contribution to make to the national response.
A national action plan to combat trafficking in human beings will be drafted by the group and will deal with key issues such as prevention of trafficking and awareness raising; prosecution of the trafficker; protection of the victim and a response to child trafficking.
A key goal of the plan will be to ensure that Ireland has the appropriate legislative and administrative structures in place to allow for ratification of all relevant international instruments. Additional resources have been assigned within the department to co-ordinate this work.
"In particular, in the context of the treatment of victims, it is intended that a framework will be put in place whereby a victim of trafficking can be afforded an immediate period of recovery and reflection in the State and also in circumstances where he or she wishes to participate in any criminal proceedings," Mr Lenihan said.
He said that addressing victim protection issues would be an important part of the action plan to combat trafficking in human beings.
"The necessary framework for addressing the immigration aspects and treatment of victims will be addressed by the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill which is being drafted at present," he added.