asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a review of the operation of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976, is on the agenda of the Anglo-Irish Conference.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act.
5.
This and other measures which may further co-operation between the Irish and British Governments on legal and security matters are kept under review in the Anglo-Irish Conference.
Given that the Minister for Foreign Affairs announced in recent days that the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act is being examined by a committee of the two Attorneys General and at the Anglo-Irish Conference, do the Government see this as a substitute for the 1987 Extradition Act?
Definitely not, and I will remind the Deputy of what the Taoiseach said in the Dáil on 27 November last. I quote: "Extradition is an important instrument in the fight against serious crime and terrorism and it is an inherent part of the rule of law as it is applied between civilised and democratic States."
Have the Government changed their attitude to the effectiveness of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, given that they opposed it while in Opposition in 1976? Furthermore, the Fianna Fáil Government suspended its operation during 1982.
If the Deputy takes the time and trouble to look up the record of the operations of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act since 1976 she must readily admit that it has operated successfully.
That is a question quite different from what I asked. I asked if there is a change of mind on the part of the Government towards the effectiveness of this Act, given that they opposed it while in Opposition.
We are having repetition.
But I have not got an answer.
The record shows the operations of this Act.
Could the Minister tell the House whether the British Government have given a formal commitment that they will work and co-operate fully with the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, which they have not done in the past?
As I said in reply to the question by Deputy Colley, all measures which may further co-operation between the British and Irish Governments in legal and security matters are kept under review in the Anglo-Irish Conference. This matter is being looked at. We would like to see this in operation and working successfully. The Deputy will appreciate that any effort that can be brought into operation by us to defeat the terrorists is to be welcomed.
I agree with the last sentiment expressed by the Minister. Will he comment on a report in the papers yesterday that at a meeting between the British Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Foreign Affairs on Monday it appeared to those attending the press conference that the Minister for Foreign Affairs is far more enthusiastic about this than is the British Foreign Secretary?
I am not aware of the newspaper report Deputy Barry is referring to. I did not see it. Therefore I am not in a position to comment on people's interpretations of moods and so on.
Would it be a correct interpretation if it was so reported?
That is purely hypothetical.
Deputy Colley was afforded an opportunity of putting supplementary questions in the first instance. She did not avail of the opportunity. It must be a brief question.
Why does the Minister seem reluctant to put on the record of this House his views and the views he understands emanate from the Anglo-Irish Conference on the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act while he seems so willing in the media to put his views across?
The Deputy should understand that there is no reluctance on my part at any time to make announcements when I think it appropriate to so do.