Seanad debates

Wednesday, 14 May 2003

Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Bill 2003: Second Stage.

 

I raise these points, particularly what happened in the well developed British democracy over many years and the illegal activity in which that state was involved, and the activities which now present a major challenge within the eastern bloc countries, to see how they can be best addressed in the European Union context. Perhaps the Minister of State will consider a situation where the European Union would establish a regulatory authority which would have an over-arching role with regard to the compliance of enforcement agencies within member states with proper ethical standards and criteria applying. There is a role for the Community to play in that regard. It might obviate some of the points I have made in this debate. In particular, it would obviate the illegal activity and behaviour that should have no place within the law enforcement apparatus of any democratic state. It is important that member states gravitate towards the highest standards of law enforcement across the Community. Where we do not eradicate areas where there is less than that standard pertaining, there is a danger of the whole process falling to the lowest common denominator.

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