The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit was established in February 2008 to ensure that the Irish State's response to trafficking is co-ordinated, comprehensive and holistic. It works closely with both State and non-governmental organisations. The Unit is also responsible for the development and implementation of a national action plan to prevent and tackle human trafficking. The National Action Plan will focus on:

• Prevention and awareness raising
• Prosecution of traffickers
• Protection of victims
• Child trafficking

The Plan, when finalised, will set out the structures to facilitate ratification of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children and the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. The main aim of the National Action Plan will be to ensure that Ireland's response to trafficking in human beings is appropriate to the nature and scale of the problem and in line with international best practice. The Unit maintains close links with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), which is actively involved in the fight against the trafficking of human beings into and within Ireland.