Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Let us hope that nothing happens to Spain this evening that requires the use of European arrest warrants on some later occasion.

There is a serious issue to be considered. In principle, a number of Members of this House have said here that they are opposed not only to this amending Bill but also to European arrest warrant legislation. Let us be absolutely clear: what this legislation does is facilitate the removal from this State of individuals facing serious charges in other parts of Europe so they can be dealt with through a proper court process, which falls under the effective application of the European Convention on Human Rights. Should any state violate the convention, it can be brought to court therefor. The instrument facilitates the returning to this State of people who engage in serious criminality in this State. It seems to escape Deputies' notice that some of those who are subject to European arrest warrants have left the state of which they are citizens to come to Ireland to evade justice. There is an extraordinary lack of insight in some of the speeches I have heard delivered on this legislation.

The Commission reports that, among those surrendered thanks to the European arrest warrant, were a failed London bomber caught in Italy, a German serial killer tracked down in Spain, a suspected drug smuggler from Malta extradited from the UK, and a gang of armed robbers sought by Italy whose members were arrested in six different EU countries. A large international operation against highway cargo theft networks resulted in the dismantling of networks in five different countries.

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