Govt ‘in process of drafting human trafficking legislation’

The Dáil has heard that legislation to combat human trafficking in Ireland is currently being drafted by the Government.

Minister for Tourism John O'Donoghue told the house that the legislation was at an advanced stage, but he said it was unlikely to come before the Oireachtas this year.

He said the new bill would create a specific offence of trafficking human beings for sexual and labour exploitation.

Mr O'Donoghue was responding to questions from Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte in the wake of this week's television documentary on the extent of human trafficking in Ireland.

The programme featured interviews with a number of young women who had been forced into prostitution after being smuggled into Ireland from eastern Europe.