Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank all the Deputies for their contributions to this debate. It was almost inevitable that the debate would be wide-ranging because the Bill is a narrow, technical piece of legislation.

I thank Deputies Jim O'Keeffe and Gerard Murphy for their supportive approach to the legislation. I also thank Deputy O'Shea for his comments. I accept his criticisms of two things: first, the delay in dealing with and in enacting these protocols into Irish law; and, second, that it would be preferable that, rather than enacting primary legislation on matters of this kind every so often, we should adopt some different approach to getting relatively technical matters enacted into Irish law. It is a matter of regret to me that it could not have been done, for example, by a statutory instrument or that there is not some procedure whereby on a fast track basis, something could be laid before a committee of the House and the protocols amended without going through the full panoply of two Houses considering the matter. However, because the contributions to this debate have been wide-ranging, it has not been time wasted.

I fully agree with Deputies Gerard Murphy, Catherine Murphy and Gregory and other Deputies that we are on a learning curve. I fully agree with Deputies Gregory and Catherine Murphy that the principles were already established in the CAB events of ten years' ago, the requirement for inter-agency operations was clearly established and the benefits of such an approach have been clearly demonstrated in the interval.

Deputy Catherine Murphy is absolutely right about aerodromes. Responsibility to regulate aerodromes falls between different Departments. They are licensed by the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen's Department and the provision of customs and excise is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen's Department, while my Department is responsible for the policing aspect. The fact that three major Departments are involved in that particular activity does not mean that there is not a very strong case for clear co-ordination of activity. I do not dispute Deputy Murphy's assertion. If private aerodromes are not being adequately policed — I use the term to mean inspections, customs arrangements and the monitoring of who is using what aircraft and for what purpose — that must be addressed, but I do not wish to close them down because they are a very useful facility. They are part of the world we live in but they cannot be an open porthole for people to access Ireland without any adequate safeguards.

There is a very strong case for institutionalised co-operation between Customs and Excise, private and public airport authorities and the Garda Síochána. I will take up the points made by the Deputies on that matter. Within the week, I will commence a process within my Department to audit the actions being taken. As Deputy Gregory expressed, I hope it will not happen just now. I hope the powers that be, so to speak, have been doing these things without prompting from politicians. I presume the intelligence-gathering authorities in the Garda Síochána and in Customs and Excise have been examining these problems but I want reassurance on that point. As Deputy Catherine Murphy said, the public are entitled to reassurance. What appears to be lax procedure must be examined very carefully.

Deputy Gregory made some very sobering points about drugs in our society. I agree with his argument. It is right, as he did, to acknowledge the great successes with regard to drugs seizures. I also wish to pay tribute to the Garda Síochána. I must be careful to strike a balance between acknowledging their successes but also acknowledging the scale of the problem with which they must deal. They are dealing with forces which have frightening amounts of resources, brutality and determination. It is the case that we must do better with regard to all these matters. I fully accept Deputy Gregory's point that there is absolutely no room to assume that everything being done is sufficient or even remotely sufficient.

A number of Deputies referred to the question of resources. As the day unfolds, it will be clear that record resources are being given to the Garda Síochána. The finances and numbers available to the force are growing at a dramatic level. I do not wish to do what happened in other sectors, which is to throw money and people into a system which itself needs strategic direction. There is much talk about Garda reform in terms of systems and governance, but we also need within the Garda Síochána a very clear picture that the resources are being translated into maximum value and return for the taxpayer. All those things are being done.

Deputy Gregory has raised on a number of occasions the question of the escape from an open prison of a drug dealer who is prominent in his community. He had previously absconded from a closed prison. I note publicity about this subject in today's newspapers. I wish to reassure the Deputy that I have not forgotten the matter and I will be looking for an explanation. It requires a personal explanation from the people who made the decision as to precisely what they thought they were doing. It is not a matter I am willing to let go. If somebody with convictions for drug dealing absconds from a closed prison and is then transferred to an open prison, many questions must be asked as to the reason that person was selected for an open prison. I want explanations and I assure the Deputy I will get them. I am not leaving that one go.

I thank all the Deputies for participating in the debate on the Bill. I acknowledge Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's support for the proposal. I accept the legitimate criticism that this legislation should have been dealt with earlier. The Department is aware of this criticism, but it is better late than never. This legislation is necessary to enable Ireland to ratify and give full effect to the protocols. I do not want Ireland to be a stumbling block towards greater co-operation in these matters in the European Union. I thank Deputies for their contributions, particularly those on all sides of the House who spoke about the important issues that lie at the heart of this and why this intelligence must be gathered and exchanged. I assure them I am conscious of the strong arguments that have been put and the force of the contributions made. They are not falling on deaf ears.

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