The Government's new immigration Bill falls short of best international standards on the protection of trafficking victims, according to Amnesty International.
While it was welcome that victims would be entitled to a 45-day recovery and reflection period, Amnesty said the Bill took a minimalist approach to helping trafficking victims.
It pointed in particular to the stipulation that any extension of this period would be dependent on co-operation with the Garda.
"The Bill fails to take into account the personal circumstances of the victim. Many of these people will have been beaten, abused and raped while being held in deplorable conditions," said Fiona Crowley, Amnesty's research and legal manager.
"Their recovery should be an essential part of deciding whether to grant temporary residence. It should not be dependent on co-operation with the Garda."
In her view the Bill should also explicitly state that in decisions on any other asylum, immigration or residence case, due consideration would be given to applicants who were victims of trafficking.
The Council of Europe's Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings enters into force today. While Ireland signed the convention last April, it has not yet ratified the document.
Ms Crowley said the immigration Bill published this week fell short of the standards the convention sets for the protection of victims.
