Dan Boyle (Green Party)

This is a measure that will draw strong support because there is a need for European and international co-operation to deal with the scourge of smuggling. There is an obligation on us as a member state of the European Union to act appropriately. The Minister of State's speech highlights some of the additional measures we are taking through the use of information technology. Those moves are also welcome. This gives us an opportunity to ask where we stand on combating smuggling. Smuggling operates on two levels, legal goods that are taken in illegally and illegal goods that should not come in at all.

Various figures were given by the Minister of State on the success of Customs and Excise in intercepting goods in both categories. It is, however, readily admitted that no matter how successful a regime is in making seizures and stopping smuggling, it is a small percentage of what is out there, just the tip of the iceberg. In approving measures such as this, some indication must be given how the level of co-operation and the improvement of technology will bring about higher levels of seizures and less seepage in other smuggled goods, despite the amount of resources provided.

The other area of concern is how information collected for a desired purpose is stored and prevented from being used inappropriately. The issue of data retention is an ongoing debate at European level. When it comes to issues such as the smuggling of hard drugs, there is less of a tolerance, both politically and publicly, of meeting concerns over personal rights in this area. It must, however, inform our debate on our role as a democratic country and our involvement in the European Union. It is a fine balance to strike that in protecting the public good we do not interfere with the individual's rights and good. Ultimately, the Government and the EU must strike a balance to fulfil the responsibility in preventing public harm created by smuggling. On these grounds this is a necessary measure. I am confident the proper safeguards, both nationally and at EU level, are in place to ensure Customs and Excise and its European counterparts are more effective in the prevention of smuggling and we will be better served.