Human Trafficking Bill announced

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Brian Lenihan has today announced other key measures being taken by the Government to tackle human trafficking.

The Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill has been published, and is due to be debated in the Dáil.

"While there is no evidence of a substantial human trafficking problem in Ireland, any level of this despicable crime is deplorable," said Lenihan.

"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".

"I stated shortly after my appointment that bringing this legislation forward would be a priority for me and I am pleased that, with the cooperation of the Attorney General, it has proved possible to publish the Bill at this stage.

"This legislation is a key facet of the Government’s strategy to tackle this crime and I now intend to rapidly proceed with having it enacted. It will make Ireland a more hostile environment for those who might consider trafficking people here".

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.