A US STATE Department report into human trafficking has for the first time named Ireland as a destination country for victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced labour.
The latest annual Trafficking in Persons report, which is regarded as the most comprehensive global compendium of trafficking trends, places the Republic in the second of three "tiers", indicating that the Government is not complying with minimum standards for the elimination of the crime but is making significant effort to do so.
While previous editions referred to trafficking to Ireland only as a "potential problem", the 2008 report states: "Ireland is a destination country for women, men and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labour."
The report coincides with the coming into force today of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008. This makes the trafficking of adults and children for labour or sexual exploitation illegal under Irish law for the first time and criminalises the use of services of victims of trafficking.
Due to the clandestine nature of the trade and the absence until now of a specific offence, it has not been possible to estimate the numbers of people trafficked into Ireland. Ruhama, a group that works with prostituted women, has reported significant numbers of cases in the past seven years.
The report notes that while Irish officials have shown "considerable political will" in the drafting of new anti-trafficking legislation, "key deficiencies in the areas of prosecution, protection and prevention remain".
The report recommends formal policies and procedures to ensure victims are given protection and assistance and a visible "demand-reduction" campaign in Ireland.
The Government has sought to address victim protection since the report was researched, with provisions in the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, making its way through the Oireachtas. However, support groups insist those provisions must go further.
While welcoming the new trafficking law, Gerardine Rowley of Ruhama said: "The Government has not yet dealt adequately with victim protection and assistance."
Colm O'Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Irish Section, said the level of protection proposed remained "weak and conditional". While the 45- day recovery and reflection period to victims was welcome, he questioned the Bill's stipulation that any extension is dependent on co-operation with the Garda.
The Department of Justice said the report was out of date and its reservations had been overtaken by events, but its reference to Ireland's significant efforts to combat trafficking was appreciated.
