Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Clune for sharing her time. I welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution about the proposed treaty.

I want to take up the point on which Deputy Clune concluded. There is almost a sleight of hand involved in approving this treaty at European level with little or no reference to this Chamber. That is a poor start to a debate that, ultimately, will have to be decided by the people. If the people perceive there is a sleight of hand at play, they will not take at face value the words spoken in favour of this treaty.

The treaty is heady stuff and as a non-legal person there is a good deal in it to digest. I await with interest the Minister of State, Deputy Roche's contribution to the conclusion of the debate because we are led to believe from his public utterances that he is at least one step removed from the Government's view on this issue. While the treaty is heavy legal going and refers to hand brakes, QMVs and so on, it is the ordinary man on the street who will decide whether this is something he wants to be ruled by ultimately. That is a useful starting point in understanding this opt-out from judicial and police co-operation. Ordinary people are concerned about crime and its causes, drug-fuelled empires that make countless millions. We read in a newspaper today of the international dimension to crime, with hitmen being flown from the Middle East to Limerick to assist gangs in controlling their territories. People want co-operation across borders between police forces. Individual rights must be safeguarded but, overwhelmingly, the public wants to ensure law abiding citizens are protected by EU treaties. Putting us outside the European mainstream is not the way to deliver that. Deputy Pat Carey might well shake his head but that is the reality.

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