A new report on Ireland's role in combating human trafficking has criticised the very low rate of prosecutions here, as well as the length of criminal proceedings.
The Council of Europe's expert body on trafficking - GRETA - is publishing its first report on implementation by Ireland of the 2005 anti-trafficking convention.
It found that Ireland is primarily a destination for trafficking victims and that 57 victims reported to gardai in 2011 which is down from 78 the year before.
It believes that the overwhelming majority of the victims were foreign nationals primarily from Africa (especially Nigeria), but also from other European countries, Asia and Latin America.
It found that gaps in the formal identification procedure the low rate of prosecutions mean that the official figures may underestimate the true scale of the problem.
The main type of exploitation between 2009 and 2011 was sexual exploitation at 68%.
It says that while authorities here have taken several important steps - including the adoption of anti-trafficking legislation, a comprehensive action plan and the setting up of coordinating structures and specialised units - they still have more to do to combat the problem.
Specific mechanism for child victims
It recommends that Irish authorities further involve non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in anti-trafficking policy and give them a formal role in identifying trafficking victims.
It also wants to see more attention given to prevention and protection measures for children - including setting up a specific mechanism for identifying child victims of trafficking.
GRETA notes that the adoption of new immigration laws have been delayed since 2008 and, as a result, there is no clear statutory basis on which victims of trafficking can invoke protection.
In response to a parliamentary question back in April, the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said that there was a commitment under the Programme for Government to "introduce comprehensive reforms of the immigration, residency and asylum systems, which will include a statutory appeals system and set out rights and obligations in a transparent way". GRETA stresses the importance of adopting new legislation relating to immigration, asylum and human trafficking as soon as possible.
The convention has so far been ratified by 40 of the Council of Europe member states; including countries of origin, transit and destination for trafficking victims.
In response, the government said "Ireland would again wish to emphasise that the best interests of the child are always the primary consideration in all cases" and that it will consider the recommendations in relation to the identification process.
