Seanad debates

Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Criminal Justice (Illicit Traffic by Sea) Bill 2000: Second Stage.

 

Section 2 concerns the exercise of powers by enforcement officers. I have already suggested that it is perhaps cumbersome to have to await direction if a control vessel suspects for some reason – perhaps prior intelligence from sources at a port or from Interpol – that a ship may well have drugs on board. I presume such activity can also be detected by satellite and by observation of vessels coming together at sea in order to exchange drugs. It is important that any naval vessels within the vicinity should be able to act speedily. If an inquiry has to be put through to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who in turn has to get the approval of the flag state, it may not be the most effective procedure from the point of view of enforcement.

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