Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I wish to express my gratitude to Senators Terry, Tuffy, Jim Walsh, Kett and the Leas-Chathaoirleach.

I hope the Bill can be enacted quickly so that we can continue to reinforce our commitment – in this instance in conjunction with our international partners – that no effort will spared to bring drug traffickers to justice wherever they may seek to operate. In response to Senator Kett's concluding comment, the Government will not be found wanting and will pursue those trafficking drugs vigorously both on land and, in this case, at sea.

As stated earlier, Ireland has already given effect to the provisions of the United Nations Vienna Convention by the enactment of Part V of the Criminal Justice Act 1994. The Council of Europe agreement, which gave rise to this legislation, builds on the Vienna Convention by making provision for the concept of preferential jurisdiction. While the Bill may seem somewhat technical in nature, when taken in conjunction with the 1994 Act, its enactment will bring certainty to international co-operation in this area, which will serve to act as a further deterrent to drug trafficking at sea.

This is an excellent example of the Government's commitment to continue the recent co-operation with our international partners in our fight against drugs. In Europe and throughout the world, the Minister and officials from his Department continue to participate at the various fora that aim to provide new solutions to the problems of international drugs trafficking and international crime. The EU Action Plan on Drugs 2000 to 2004 was endorsed by the European Council in June 2000. This plan sets out detailed measures to achieve the objectives and targets in relation to tackling supply and demand for drugs set out in the EU drugs strategy, which was endorsed by the European Council in December 1999.

In 2000, subject to ratification, Ireland signed the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and two protocols thereto. I refer here to a protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, particularly women and children, and another against the smuggling of migrants by land, air or sea. The convention and its protocols are important milestones in the world community's efforts to combat the threat posed by cross-border crime.