Vol. 472 No. 1
225 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice the current status in relation to the provision of coastal marine units or a European coastal guard with regard to drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22534/96]
Part V of the Criminal Justice Act, 1994 and the related First Schedule which came into operation with effect from 15 November 1996, introduced provisions which deal with drug trafficking at sea. In particular, it enables the Naval Service, the Customs and Excise Service and the Garda Síochána to stop, board and search ships in order to detect drug trafficking offences. This will greatly enhance the ability of the Irish authorities to deal with drug trafficking at sea.
Ireland ratified the UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances on 3 September 1996. The convention, which comes into force as regards Ireland on 3 December 1996, contains, among other things, a requirement in Article 17 on parties to the convention to co-operate to the fullest extent possible to suppress illicit traffic by sea, in conformity with the international law of the sea. Part V of the Criminal Justice Act, 1994, gives effect to the requirements of Article 17.
Ireland has also prioritised action against drugs during its Presidency of the European Union. A series of measures to protect the external frontier against drug trafficking have been agreed. Of particular importance in this regard are measures introduced to promote police customs co-operation, combat trafficking on the Balkan routes and enhance co-operation between customs and business in the fight against drug trafficking.
