Fitzgerald launches Ireland’s second anti-human trafficking action plan

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald today launched Ireland’s Second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking, containing 65 actions designed to crackdown on traffickers, support victims, raise public-awareness, and enhance training for those likely to encounter victims.

Launching the action plan in the Department of Justice, Ms Fitzgerald called trafficking “a crime against humanity which has no place in a modern and civilised society”.

She also said that Ireland’s experience had shown trafficking “is not confined to the sex trade and is taking place in a range of legitimate industries, under the guise of genuine employment”.

Ms Fitzgerald said: “This Second National Action Plan sets out a series of actions which, when pursued together with partners both State and non-State, will bring more perpetrators to justice and free victims from this form of modern slavery.”

A total of 417 victims of human trafficking were reported to or detected by gardaí between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2015.

Many of them were referred directly by NGOs, who were consulted widely - along with State service providers - on the new plan.

Ms Fitzgerald added: “I know that the fight against this despicable crime remains an important priority for An Garda Síochána.

“I also want to acknowledge the contributions made by many NGO’s in addressing this issue, implementing and progressing the actions contained in the first National Action Plan as well as for their valuable contribution and input to the preparation of this new Plan.

“I look forward to the high level of co-operation between the governmental and non-governmental sector continuing.”