Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2006
512 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has been asked to attend the meetings requested by the Minister for Foreign Affairs with his counterparts in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania to discuss the issue of human trafficking; and if so, if he plans to attend same. [20614/06]
View answer513 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has had or will request a meeting with his counterparts in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania to discuss the issue of human trafficking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20615/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 512 and 513 together.
I would refer the Deputy to the replies to parliamentary questions nos. 117 and 141 tabled for answer on 24 May, 2005. These explain the context of a recent meeting between my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and his Polish counterpart and planned meetings between the Minister and his Lithuanian and Latvian colleagues.
The issue of human trafficking is a priority at EU level and is discussed regularly by Justice and Interior Ministers and by officials within the framework of the Council. An EU Action Plan on Trafficking in Human Beings was agreed by the Council in December, 2005 and Council conclusions on preventing and combating trafficking of human beings on the basis of the Action Plan, including trafficking in connection with major international events, were agreed by the Council in April, 2006.
I should add that inter-Governmental, bilateral agreements were concluded with Poland and Bulgaria in December, 2005. These cover a range of criminal justice matters, including co-operation in combating trafficking in persons. Negotiations are ongoing in relation to proposals for agreements with other eastern European countries.
