Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I support the motion. It is beyond question that we should be co-operating in many areas throughout Europe, none more so than security and the prevention of crime throughout the entire Union. This could apply to activities such as terrorism, the importation of drugs and the trafficking of human beings and goods.

Ireland, particularly the south-west coast, is used as a gateway for the illegal importation of drugs. In the past two years, we had the two largest drug seizures. One incident, in which a boat sank off Mizen Head, involved an act of God and was a stroke of luck for the Customs and Excise, Garda and Naval Service. The amount of drugs involved - well over €500 million - was frightening. Thankfully, those arrested are in prison, with some of them serving very long sentences. Others who escaped from this jurisdiction have been arrested in the United Kingdom where they will face trial on this and other matters.

Some 12 months after the event it was still hard to believe the audacity, arrogance and daring of those who were prepared to use Ireland as a gateway to Europe for drug smuggling. Even then, however, a further significant attempt to smuggle drugs was detected. Through co-operation between European agencies, the yacht in question was tracked from South America until it entered Irish waters. In this case there was no act of God; it was a predetermined, well planned co-operation by European agencies, the Garda, Customs and the Naval Service. The Naval Service apprehended the yacht 170 miles south west of Mizen Head and brought it to Castletownbere. Again, the quantity of drugs seized was substantial, valued at over €500 million. In the space of 12 months attempts had been made to bring €1 billion worth of high quality cocaine through south-west Cork for transhipment to the United Kngdom and mainland Europe. I understand the yacht in the last case was not meant to land in Ireland but in Cornwall or Wales, which highlights how much of a success story it was of co-operation between various European agencies. Recently a vessel from outside Europe was seized in County Louth carrying a large quantity of cigarettes. Again, the county was used as a point of entry. I believe significant amounts of drugs have been landed along the west Cork coast for transhipment to the United Kingdom and mainland Europe, which shows the need for co-operation.

It is also proper and correct that there is co-operation between various European agencies in preventing human trafficking and pornography. As a small island-state on the periphery of Europe, Ireland on its own does not have the capacity to tackle widespread crime such as the spread of pornography, terrorism, drug, cigarette or human trafficking. It relies on international co-operation. Anything that can be done by Ireland to improve overall security in Europe is important. The European Union has seen its borders fall and customs traps disappear. In this regard, the motion is proper, particularly since the European Union already knows how much our farmers grow, how much is included in the set-aside scheme and what fishermen are catching with the eye in the sky. The improving of security and the stamping out of drug trafficking and terrorism through European co-operation are essential.