Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. I too am happy to support this important technical Bill. During his contribution, the Minister, Deputy Shatter outlined in great detail the benefits in terms of the security of the State and of Europe. Over the years we have developed an ad hoc system of co-operation with other police forces, however, under the provisions of the Bill we will create a police architecture that will ensure co-operation and that we are best equipped to fight organised crime. Organised crime will always be one step ahead of the detection and prosecution of crime. Let us hope we are only one step behind because if organised crime gains ground, it will take us twice as long to catch up. We co-operate effectively with the PSNI in Northern Ireland. We are joined at the hip in terms of dealing with crime on both sides of the Border. I respectfully suggest we have an excellent working relationship with the police force of Great Britain.

One often hears of a person absconding to Spain or France after committing a crime in Ireland. Let us hope that absconding to France or Spain becomes redundant as a result of the provisions of this Bill. The only way is to co-operate. We are an European unit. We have been very successful in terms of the free movement of persons, goods and services.

Following the Second World War, when Europe was nearly ripped apart, the European project was initiated. Who would have thought back in the late 1940s that by the turn of the next century, we would be where we are now? There is a determination that European states will work together as a friendly neighbourly unit and will be able to compete effectively with the United States, China and other major conglomerates. We probably need to improve the structure to co-operate in terms of crime prevention and detection. That is why this Bill is very important. I am very heartened that it is being supported unanimously.

We are all working against crime. We are determined to break organised crime. This city has suffered at the hands of organised crime and drug dealers. At a recent sitting of the justice joint committee the Garda Commissioner outlined in great detail the 21 criminal gangs operating out of the cities with spurs in every town and village. He also advised us that these gangs have close links with organised gangs throughout Europe and as far away as Russia. The level of sophistication of these criminal gangs is remarkable. Since the murder of Ms Veronica Guerin in 1996 we have seen how some of these criminals have enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle in places such as Spain. We have also seen the Spanish authorities apprehend some of the most high profile gang leaders who had absconded from Ireland and bring them to justice. The co-operation is evident, but we need to bed it down and develop it and bring it to a higher professional level in order to ensure that neither Spain nor Ireland are attractive destination for criminals, as we are all working as a single entity to take on terrorists, drug dealers who destroy the lives of thousands of citizens throughout Europe.

I am very happy to support this important Bill. We will see the benefit of this legislation in the years to come.