IRISH NGOS PLEASED WITH TIP REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 000684

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

G/TIP JDONNELLY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KCRM KWMN PGOV PREL EI
SUBJECT: IRISH NGOS PLEASED WITH TIP REPORT

REF: A. SECSTATE 89306


B. SECSTATE 85558


1. This is an action request: see paragraph 11.


2. SUMMARY: On June 9, the Ambassador held a roundtable
discussion with NGO representatives in regards to the release
of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. The
representatives were very pleased with the report overall,
citing its worldwide importance in focusing attention on
human trafficking. They were pleased as well that Ireland
was listed for the first time, and were surprised that Irish
media failed to report on it. They agreed with the report's
conclusion that new legislation in Ireland is needed
urgently, while also raising with us their concern that U.S.
companies are hosting websites that facilitate prostitution
in Ireland. Post followed up with a meeting with local
police on June 13 to discuss possible use of U.S.-hosted
websites and would appreciate Washington agencies' assessment
of whether the U.S. can move to shut down these sites. END
SUMMARY.

TIP ROUNDTABLE
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3. On June 9 the Ambassador held a roundtable discussion with
representatives from the principal NGOs combatting
trafficking in Ireland. He announced the publication and
worldwide distribution of the TIP report and asked them to
express their concerns and comments. The NGOs represented
included the International Organization for Migration (IOM),
Amnesty International, Ireland en Route (IER) - an
interagency working group, Ralaheen - a social policy
research institute, and Ruhama - a charity that works to
reform prostitutes.

POSITIVE REACTION
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4. The NGO participants were pleased that the USG listed
Ireland in the TIP report for the first time and expressed
hope that this would help trafficking gain exposure in both
the public and the government. Dr. Pauline Conroy of
Ralaheen praised the report as the only product of its kind
available to NGOs, experts, and governments. The
representatives were also "surprised" that the report
received no mention in the Irish press. (Note: The Irish
Independent did not mention the report until June 12, a week
after its release). Penny McRedmond of Ireland en Route said
that journalists "don't understand the significance" of
Ireland's Tier 1 status while Conroy suggested that the press
consciously declined to report it to avoid "praising the
U.S." She also commended the inclusion of personal accounts
of trafficking and notably the account of labor trafficking
in Iraq.

DOMESTIC PROBLEMS
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5. The NGOs all agreed that a major problem is the lack of a
definition for trafficking and that the press, government,
and victims often confuse it with smuggling. They also
expressed frustration at the slow pace of the government in
completing legislation, which is in draft, and submitting it
to Parliament.

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
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6. Ruhama's Gerardine Rowley suggested that the TIP report's
claim that the Irish Government offered "adequate
protections" to victims of trafficking is too generous and
better wording would be "some protections." McRedmond noted
that the report's claim that the GOI "fully complies" with
the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking is
misleading and discounts the lack of movement on domestic
trafficking-related legislation. Other participants noted
that the government's slow pace at drafting was
understandable, even if frustrating, because it is difficult
to harmonize new trafficking legislation with other Irish
legislation on related issues.

NEXT STEPS
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7. The roundtablediscussion was warmly received by all
participans. All agreed to pursue further meetings and were
enthusiastic about the Ambassador's offer to consder
bringing governmental and non-governmental Aerican
trafficking experts to Ireland.

DUBLIN 00000684 002.2 OF 002



U.S.-BASED WEBSITES ALLEGEDLY USED FOR IRISH PROSTITUTION
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8. Rowley accused Irish brothel managers of trafficking by
using websites hosted in the U.S., putting them outside the
legal jurisdiction of the GOI. To follow up on her charge,
on June 13, emboffs met with police Inspector Pat Lordan to
discuss these allegations. Lordan first stressed that after
interviews with approximately eighty prostitutes, he found
"no real trafficking problem in Dublin" but noted that his
jurisdiction was limited to Dublin and admitted that some
indicators of trafficking were present in the Dublin
community.


9. Lordan then addressed the issue raised by Rowley of
U.S.-based websites potentially being used for trafficking in
Ireland. He listed many websites that he alleged are hosted
in the U.S. that are used to organize illegal prostitution
(though he did not tie them to trafficking) within Ireland
through the posting of cell phone numbers used to contact
prostitutes. These websites, many of which are allegedly run
by prominent Irish-UK brothel managers Martin Morgan, Peter
McCormick, and Taidgh O'Neill, include: www.punterland.com,
www.xxxdublin.com, www.irishescorts.net, www.adultoffice.com,
www.mistressdublin.com, www.redcowescorts.com,
www.ambassador-escorts.com, www.escortdesigners.com,
www.edesigners.com, www.dublinescorts.com,
www.escortireland.com, www.escort-ireland.com,
www.indublin.com, and www.irishescorts.com.


10. Lordan noted that an investigation by his office had led
to the identification of Atlanta-based Interland, Inc. as the
host company for many of these websites. Even though these
websites do not mention prostitution or an illegal activity
by name, they are involved in illegal activity because
facilitating/organizing prostitution is a crime in Ireland.
Lordan requested USG help in determining the link between the
websites and Interland, Inc. and aid in shutting down
Interland's prostitution facilitating websites in Ireland.
He commented that while this would not necessarily close down
the brothels as the organizers could start a new website, it
would impede their operations and make business more
difficult.


11. Embassy would appreciate Washington agencies' review of
the websites listed above, including whether there are legal
means of shutting them down and federal law enforcement
interest in pursuing this matter.


12. Comment: The strong and impassioned commitment of the
Irish NGOs to their cause does not invalidate their
observations and assessments, but it undoubtedly causes them
to undervalue the positive work done by the Irish government.
We will continue dialogue with both the NGOs and government
organs over the next year. End Comment.

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