asked the Minister for Justice if he has satisfied himself that sufficient co-operation exists between the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners, and between the Garda Síochána and other police forces, to ensure that all necessary steps are being taken to prevent the illegal importation of arms into this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Illegal Importation of Arms.
9.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the fullest co-operation exists between the Garda and the Revenue Commissioners to prevent the illegal importation of arms into this country. The Garda are also satisfied that a similar level of co-operation exists with other police forces to prevent this type of activity.
Arising from the Minister's reply, is the Minister aware that as a result of investigations at present being carried out by the French police into the capture of the Eksund that is has come to light now that four other boatloads of arms and explosives travelled from Libya to Ireland prior to the capture of the Eksund?
The Deputy is straying very far from this subject matter.
It concerns the consultation between the police forces. If this happened, would the Minister not agree that it is extraordinary that this type of information was not made available by the French and other police forces around the world to the Garda Síochána?
The first part of the Deputy's original question deals with the co-operation that exists between the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners and I think I have more than adequately answered it. With regard to the second part of his question which deals with the co-operation between the Garda Síochána and police forces to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to prevent the illegal importation of arms into this country, the Deputy should know that there is a very high level of co-operation between the Garda Síochána and other police forces. There is a great spirit of co-operation existing between the forces and they communicate very regularly on matters of interest and importance to them. With regard to any suggestion of the importation of arms into our country, I have no doubt whatsoever that other police forces would give that information very high priority, as would the Garda Síochána, in an effort to prevent such importation of arms.
Is the Minister saying that the Garda Síochána had advance notice of the capture of the Eksund?
I am not saying anything of the kind and the Deputy knows that such an insinuation is mischievous.
Will the Minister ensure that all intelligence information at present being gathered by the French police force on the capture of the Eksund will be made available to the Garda Síochána? Can the Minister comment on the fact that it would appear some of the explosives used in the Enniskillen massacre came from one of the other boatloads from Libya? It is not extraordinary that we did not have information of at least four boatloads of explosives from Libya prior to the capture of the Eksund?
We are now having quite a widening of the subject matter of the question.
I am being asked by Deputy Barrett to comment on "the fact" and then he tells me the fact is a newspaper report.
(Limerick East): The Minister is evading the question.
May I be allowed to deal with the supplementary questions posed by Deputy Barrett? It is a fact that the Garda Síochána have been in very close contact with the French police force. The Garda have been briefed extensively by the French police force as to what went on and will be made aware of the situation as it develops. Should the Garda get any information from the French police force that requires further consideration by them, then I have no doubt that the Garda will take all the necessary steps to carry out the investigations required.
With regard to the element of the question which deals with the co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners, is the Minister aware of the grave concern expressed by members of the Garda Síochána on the fact that over the weekends, in particular, that the whole of Dublin port is left unpoliced by Customs and Excise officers due to cutbacks in overtime and personnel and that it is incumbent on a visiting boat to remain at harbour and report on the Monday morning? Is the Minister aware that the premier port lies unpoliced by Customs and Excise officers over the weekends? Is the Minister taking any steps in that direction?
I will have this matter fully looked into. I will request the Garda to advise me of the situation and if action is necessary as a result of what Deputy McCartan has said I have no doubt that it will be attended to.
May I take it from that that the Minister has not been made aware of these concerns? Will he accept that this is a very serious matter?
The matter the Deputy raises is worthy of a separate question.
In the context of the co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners for whom the Customs and Excise officers——
The Deputy has made his point.
Will the Minister say at what level co-operation takes place? Is it at Commissioner, or Deputy Commissioner level? How often do these meetings take place and at what level do they take place?
That is a very specific question and I will be glad to answer it in specific detail if the Deputy puts down the question. In this instance the level of police co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the French police, was that an Assistant Commissioner and a Chief Superintendent have been dealing with the French police in Paris.
I am not referring to the French police. I am asking about the co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners.
I am sorry, I misunderstood the Deputy.
(Limerick East): The Minister is evading the question.
I misunderstood the thrust of the Deputy's question and I have apologised for that. I have not in my brief the levels of communication he is seeking but I will find out the information and will let the Deputy know.
In view of the Government's extensive contracts in Libya have there been any discussions with the Libyan police force on the importation of arms? Were these matters ever discussed by both Governments?
A Cheann Comhairle, I would suggest that the Deputy should at least observe the basic rules of the House.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling Deputy Barrett for a final supplementary.
Will the Minister assure the House that the question of the use of the explosives in the Enniskillen massacre will be the subject of extensive discussions between Sir Jack Hermon and the Commissioner?
I am afraid that Deputies are availing of the opportunity to raise all kinds of matters.
The Deputy can rest assured that the Garda Commissioner will no doubt give full co-operation to Sir Jack Hermon in dealing with the terrible atrocity, which we all condemn, that took place in Enniskillen on Sunday morning.