Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014
456. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to appoint an independent national rapporteur to address problems of lack of identification and prosecution with regard to trafficking and victims of trafficking for forced labour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16537/14]
View answer457. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider implementing a co-ordinated approach to assessing and identifying all cases of potential trafficking for forced labour by a multi-agency team involving State agencies and NGOs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16538/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 456 and 457 together.
The process for the identification of victims of human trafficking which is used in Ireland is based on the model developed by the International Organisation on Migration (IOM); this envisages a two step process involving an assessment of the various indicators and a detailed interview with the individual by An Garda Síochána. All relevant information from the individual and from the legal representative and/or NGO assisting the victim is considered in the assessment.
While there is no independent national rapporteur to monitor efforts to fight human trafficking, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in my Department acts as the equivalent mechanism in accordance with the requirements set out in Article 19 of the EU Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. The question of ongoing monitoring through a national rapporteur will also be examined in the context of the 2nd National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings in Ireland which is currently being drafted.
The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in my Department chairs five interdisciplinary working groups comprising representatives from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), International Organisations (IOs) and Government Agencies which discuss, inter alia, victim identification. More than 30 organisations are involved. This method of consultation is based on a model recommended by the Organisation for Security Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for National Referral Mechanisms on Human Trafficking. Methods for enhancing and developing processes for the identification of victims will be examined through these consultative structures having regard to the reports on Ireland by two international organisations [OSCE and the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA)] with expertise in the area of human trafficking and will be addressed in the context of the 2nd National Action Plan.
