Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I do. The Minister might transmit his knowledge to the Minister for Finance who, in his forthcoming budget, might withdraw the provision in the last budget to spend €300 million to €400 million on purchasing carbon emission allowances from poorer countries. Thus, the members of the Government will all be singing from the same hymn-sheet. It is quite obvious the Minister for Foreign Affairs is singing for himself.

On the issues of security and justice and the question of how to proceed regarding trans-border crime, one should bear in mind that much crime is now taking place on a transnational, trans-border basis. This includes the importation and exportation of illegal drugs, money laundering, trafficking of children and women and modern-day slavery. Existing policing mechanisms and controls are totally inefficient and inadequate, and this was accepted by everybody at the summit. The proposal by the Finnish President on limiting the national veto was rejected out of hand. There is therefore need for a common EU approach to this issue so citizens of member states will know the Union can act for their benefit in this very difficult area, which causes so much concern right across the Union. How will the Union proceed and does the Irish Government have any proposals?

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, while standing or sitting on his high horse, or whatever one does with one's high horse, has been pontificating that he will jealously stand by Ireland's sovereignty on this matter and that he will not be found wanting regarding co-operation. However, we know modern police forces from different countries do not co-operate effectively unless there are structures or mechanisms in place to ensure that it happens. Circumstances otherwise go from bad to worse.

I quoted the statistics on the recent survey that put Ireland top of the league in terms of the difficulties I have described. We know how much crime on this island has a cross-Border element, just as we know cross-border crime is committed throughout other European countries. Will the Minister state whether the Government has some ideas on this matter?

See this speech in context