Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

All co-operation and exchange of information must be based on trust and respect for international law. Sadly, many countries have an appalling record in dealing with crimes committed by sections of their security forces. Our history on this island is littered with the issues of collusion, murders, bombings and dirty tricks. One only has to consider the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, the Seamus Ludlow and the Pat Finucane cases. While trust, honesty and quality policing are at the heart of the matter, there are moral and ethical questions for every Member to answer. Is it proper and appropriate to co-operate with states that have been directly involved in acts of violence against their citizens? Is it proper to assist states that have appalling records on human rights abuses?

I raise these questions so we can have an honest and informed debate and ensure the maximum safety and security for all our citizens. These are legitimate questions and all parties must be challenged on these matters. There is also the issue of the sharing of intelligence between Ireland, the EU and Colombia. Yesterday, Alvaro Uribe won the presidential election in Colombia. One must remember his human rights records. Colombia has a population of over 41 million. Some 7.3 million voted for Uribe while 4.6 million voted for the democratic alternative. However, 29 million of its citizens boycotted the election. In other words, 60% of the Colombian people did not vote in yesterday's elections. How can one trust Colombia as a democratic state? How can one trust a country with an appalling record on right-wing death squads? I have met many of the families of lawyers, trade unionists and the Coca Cola workers there who have been shot. How can the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform justify co-operation with people such as this?

One of the EU's core objectives is to provide its citizens with a high level of security within an area of freedom, security and justice while respecting the integrity of that jurisdiction. How will the EU member states guarantee the level of security, freedom and quality of services for their citizens? That objective can be achieved by preventing and combating crime through closer co-operation between law enforcement authorities in member states. I welcome co-operation with states that have an excellent record on equality, policing and human rights. The questions I have raised must be faced up to and answered by the Government.

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