Vol. 458 No. 1
5 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to put before the EU Council of Ministers with a view to obtaining material assistance from the EU to combat drug trafficking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16615/95]
50 Mr. Collins asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, she has to put before the EU Council of Ministers with a view to obtaining material assistance from the EU to combat drug trafficking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16529/95]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 5 and 50 together.
Title VI of the Treaty on European Union, which came into operation in November 1993, contains provisions for co-operation among member states for the purposes of preventing unlawful drug trafficking and other serious forms of international crime.
ECU 1,800,000 was made available in July 1995 from the general budget of the EU for projects to improve police co-operation under Title VI. In close consultation with the Garda, my Department submitted a project for funding from that allocation for an exchange of operational police personnel involved in combating drug trafficking in a number of member states. I expect our application will be successful and approximately ECU 280,000 will be allocated to the project by the EU. This means Ireland should receive in excess of 10 per cent of the amount available. The project will start later this year and finish in late 1996. The Minister is, of course, keeping under review all opportunities that may arise for EU funding to assist in this critical work.
While on the subject of drug trafficking it may be appropriate to record our congratulations and appreciation of the great success by the Garda, Customs Service and Naval Service in capturing the largest consignment of drugs in our history. It is good news for all law abiding people and bad news for the criminal gangs involved.
I join the Minister of State in congratulating the Garda, Naval Service and Customs service for yesterday's seizure. I hope those who perpetrated the crime will be brought to justice. On the evidence of yesterday's huge haul of cannabis, does the Minister of State agree there is a strong argument to be made at EU level to make Ireland the centre for the fight against illegal drug trafficking into Europe?
I agree everything possible should be done in a European context to reduce and, if possible, eliminate the possibility of drugs being imported into this country. The Minister for Justice has been working hard in that regard and the Taoiseach has called for the establishment of a European coastguard, which would be an important element of the Government's proposals.
An interdepartmental group was set up in June 1995 following the Government's decision to consider initiatives that might be taken in relation to drugs during Ireland's presidency of the EU. The group has been considering inter alia the question of a European coastguard and has identified some of the wide ranging and complex issues involved in this difficult matter.
The issues involved include the effectiveness of such an initiative in combating the drugs problem in Europe, particularly the heroin problem which is generally regarded as constituting the most serious threat; the concerns of the member states at the prospect of the introduction of a European law enforcement agency with an operational role and the effect this development would have on national law enforcement agencies, particularly with regard to gathering and distributing intelligence and mounting intelligence driven operations against drug traffickers. It is generally accepted that intelligence is the strongest weapon of the law enforcement agencies in the fight against drugs.
The group has not yet completed its examination of this matter but expects to present its report to Government by the end of the year. It will be an important part of our participation in our presidency of the EU next year. Considerable progress is being reported on the legislation on drugs promised by the Government. It is at an advanced stage of preparation, is expected to be before Government in the next two or three weeks and will be before the House this session.
I remind the Minister of State that the Government's response to the problem at Castletownbere, where the drugs seized yesterday are reported to have arrived, was to decide to close the Customs office there. The Government appears to have a revolving door policy on land and an open door policy at sea ports. As part of the review of the Maastricht Treaty next year, does the Government intend to seek to provide a legal basis to establish a European coastguard service?
That is a matter for consideration in the context of our presidency of the EU. As to the other matter the Deputy mentioned, I am a Minister of State at the Departments of Justice, Health and Education and I have some experience in those Departments. I am afraid, however, my knowledge does not extend to detailed considerastion of the position in Castletownbere and I apologise to the House for that.
Arising from the Minister of State's reference to yesterday's drug seizure, can he confirm or deny reports that this otherwise successful operation was almost jeopardised by a reported leak of information to the media in Cork? This same leak has possibly jeopardised the successful prosecution of the drug barons involved. Has the Minister of State any information on the matter?
This is quite an extension of the subject matter.
The Minister of State raised it in his reply.
My concern is with the questions before the House.
The Deputy has made a fair point but she will understand this is an operational matter and I would not purport to answer for the Garda in that regard. I would have thought today was a day for congratulation and encouragement of the Garda.
Nobody wishes to take away from the well deserved congratulations due to those involved for the success of the cross-agency co-operation in the haul. If such reports are correct, will the Minister accept the need for an examination of the circumstances surrounding such a leak of information?
I would prefer if a separate question was tabled in respect of the matter.
I note the Deputy said "if such reports are correct". I do not wish to enter into conjecture. This is an operational matter and I am sure the Deputy will heed the Ceann Comhairle's advice about tabling a question on the matter.
