[Oireachtas] Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 458 - Human trafficking [16539/14]. (08 Apr 2014)
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458. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will meet with representatives of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland to discuss trafficking for forced labour here, with particular regard to trafficking for forced labour in cannabis production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16539/14]
I am aware that the Migrants Rights Centre Ireland have articulated their views on this matter in a number of fora. I am of the view that, at this time, it would be helpful for the Migrants Rights Centre to have discussions with other stake-holders within the consultative structures chaired by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of my Department, particularly within the Labour Exploitation and National Referral Working Groups. These Working Groups provide a forum where issues arising out of the implementation of the expanded definition of human trafficking for forced participation in criminal activities such as cannabis cultivation can be examined and discussed at a practical level.
Migrants Rights Centre Ireland participates in an intensive three day training course entitled “Trafficking in Human Beings; Prevention, Protection, Partnership and Prosecution” undertaken by members of An Garda Síochána. Almost 700 members of An Garda Síochána have now received this training. The overriding aim of the training is to provide members of An Garda Síochána with knowledge of indicators of all the forms of human trafficking, where to look and how to identify victims of human trafficking. Recently, the training programme has included a module addressing the potential link between human trafficking and cannabis grow houses emphasising the indicators of human trafficking which may indicate a person working in such locations is a victim of human trafficking.
The prevention and detection of human trafficking in all its forms and the protection of its victims has been a policing priority for An Garda Síochána for the past number of years and it remains a priority in 2014.
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