Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I accept the general points being made by the Minister. We have specified things quite clearly, although amendments Nos. 4 and 6 deal with the functions of Irish law enforcement officers. I do not see why we do not specify it to the same extent in section (5)(1)(e). Given the disaster that occurred on 11 September 2001 and afterwards, we could always claim that this is an area in which we must move quickly, act first and look at people's constitutional rights later on. The fact is that it is a US law enforcement officer who will be carrying out this function. For that reason, I will press the amendment.

The Minister mentioned that people would have gone through the normal airport screening before this. Is it intended that on the way to the preclearance area, there will be further screening? Such additional screening operates at some of the Canadian airports, before passengers come across non-Irish officers. People claimed that although this would expedite them through the airports at which they arrive in America, one could imagine where there could be a build-up of travellers, and that this could cause problems for those who have a bona fide reason for entering the US but who misses their flights. Is it anticipated that there will be a further layer of airport security?

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