Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The commitment in the programme for Government on a new dedicated armed support unit for Dublin, as serious crime requires a serious response, was made in February. The Minister has said that whatever responses are necessary, we will face down the activities of these ruthless gangs. Will new moneys be allocated in respect of the announcements made or is the funding to come from within the 2016 allocation to An Garda Síochána? When can we expect misuse of drugs legislation in respect of the issue of prescription drugs which I have raised consistently over the last two weeks? What is the timeline for the legislation to reduce the thresholds above which the Criminal Assets Bureau can intervene and take action? I think it is to go from €7,000 to €1,000. When can we expect that?

There is a commitment in the programme for Government to build on North-South co-operation for the benefit of both sides of the Border. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, and others have given mixed messages about free movement between North and South in the event that the people of Northern Ireland and Britain vote to exit the European Union. Can the Taoiseach clarify his understanding of the implications for cross-Border controls and, ultimately, cross-Border co-operation? Does he agree that if Britain were to exit the European Union, it would have a negative impact on cross-Border economic activity?

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