Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 February 2010
272 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the implementation of the Emergency Alert systems in respect of missing children as contained in the National Action Plan to prevent and combat trafficking of human beings 2009 to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8653/10]
View answerFollowing my request to the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to assess the need to establish a dedicated Missing Persons Unit within An Garda Síochána, including a response similar to Amber Alert, and to report their findings to me, the Inspectorate published its report last year. One of its main recommendations was that an emergency alert system for missing children, similar to the Amber Alert system in place in other countries, should be established. I gave the go ahead for the implementation of this recommendation, and An Garda Síochána is committed to its implementation. They are currently exploring options to achieve the most appropriate structure to give effect to the recommendation, taking account of progress at international level in the development of alert systems for missing children.
