3 October 2006

Justice

Concerns regarding Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2006

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason he has failed to provide for the victims of trafficking in the forthcoming Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter.  

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): The Scheme of the Immigration Residence and Protection Bill, which I published recently, makes provision for a new and integrated framework for the effective management of migration to the State. An integral part of that framework will be the ability to make and publish statements of the Government’s immigration policy in relation to any aspect of immigration including, where necessary, victims of human trafficking. In the context of the proposed legislation, it will be possible for a suitable immigration policy statement to address all of the issues concerning the treatment of victims of human trafficking in an appropriate manner.