A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out an evaluation visit to Ireland from 6 to 10 December 2021 as part of the third evaluation round of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The focus of this evaluation round of the Convention is on trafficking victims’ access to justice and effective remedies. Prior to the visit, the Irish authorities provided a reply to GRETA’s questionnaire for the third evaluation round. In addition to the new thematic focus, GRETA verified how the main recommendations made in its second evaluation report have been implemented.
During the visit, the GRETA delegation held consultations with Ms Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice, and officials from the Department of Justice, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Health, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit of An Garda Síochána, the Garda National Immigration Bureau, the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), the Workplace Relations Commission, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the International Protection Office, the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), the Legal Aid Board, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, the Criminal Assets Bureau, and Solas (National Training and Employment Authority).
Furthermore, the GRETA delegation met representatives of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, which has been designated as independent National Rapporteur on human trafficking, as well as Dr Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children.
The GRETA delegation held separate meetings with representatives of non-governmental organisations, trade unions, researchers, lawyers and victims of human trafficking. Discussions were also held with representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
During the visit, the GRETA delegation visited the Mosney Village in County Meath, an accommodation centre for asylum seekers which can be used for hosting victims of trafficking in human beings.
The visit was carried out by Ms Conny Rijken and Mr Francesco Curcio, members of GRETA, who were accompanied by Ms Petya Nestorova, Executive Secretary of the Convention, and Mr Adrien Aristide from the Secretariat of the Convention.
Following the visit, GRETA will prepare a draft report, which will be sent to the Irish authorities for comments. GRETA will subsequently adopt a final report to be published in the autumn of 2022.
