IRELAND NEEDS TO adopt the “strongest possible response” to the issue of human trafficking, the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) said.

The organisation is also recommending the appointment of a ‘Czar’ to ensure the implementation of the anti-trafficking policies.

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter confirmed earlier this week that a second National Action Plan on Human Trafficking is being planned.

“A second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings in Ireland is currently being drafted and will address further follow up action in this regard,” the Minister said in response to a parliamentary question from Labour TD Ciarán Lynch.

He added that since June 2008, 106 suspected victims of trafficking for forced labour have been recorded.

ICI Chief Executive Denise Charlton said this will be “a welcome opportunity to address shortfalls which have left Ireland vulnerable to a crime which puts €25 billion into the pockets of organised crime across the EU each year”.

She also recommended that part of this plan should be mandatory training for airline and airport crew and staff to spot victims of human trafficking.

Voluntary training in this area has already been developed by the Department of Justice.

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