Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the presence of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, and thank him for attending. In the past ten years individuals involved in trying to protect the State and the other states of Europe have been facing ever-increasing sophistication among the perpetrators of international crime. Whether in regard to money laundering, prostitution rings throughout Europe or the kidnapping of children, the bar has been raised for law enforcers. The primary purpose of the Bill is to give effect to the EU decision establishing Europol. From the point of view of our small nation, one of the biggest problems for us is the length of the coastline. It is a well known fact that what goes on in our waters during the hours of darkness is frightening. It is a well known fact that boats pull up alongside each other in the middle of the night and that the necessary resources are not available to police such activity. Anything could be changing hands when this is happening.

I do not intend to belittle it but it could be something as straightforward as illegal cigarettes changing hands from one boat to another or it could be something as horrifying as people who have been abducted in one country being brought to another country under the cover of darkness. I support any measure that will help to fight organised criminals.

I thank the people who work in the Irish media who expose organised criminal gangs and in so doing put themselves in danger. A number of newspapers put much time and resources into crime coverage and but for their efforts, criminals would have a much freer hand. I compliment the Garda Síochána on its excellent work, especially since they are dealing with a completely different type of criminal to those who were operating ten or 20 years ago. The criminals have considerable resources available to them and they are highly organised. They use all types of modern technology to try to evade detection and arrest. I will support the Minister for Justice and Equality in any way to ensure that we win the fight against organised crime. It is important to employ proper resources on the streets and in coastal areas at night to tackle highly illegal activity. It is difficult to police coastlines. I compliment the work that has been done in bringing the Bill before the House. I thank the Minister and support the Bill.

See this speech in context