Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. The motion is an extremely important one. Joint investigation teams are extremely important and have been recommended and proposed for some time. I have spent several years on the Joint Committee on Justice. As part of that brief, I represented the justice committee on the Europol scrutiny committee. The latter committee is the first time there was political oversight of Europol. It comprises two representatives from each of the 27 member states, along with representatives of the European Parliament. It was extremely important because although the judicial system has oversight in this country, Europol did not have any political oversight. In my time on that committee I learned a significant amount about the importance of co-operation and working together to set up joint understandings. That is what is needed because, as the Minister and everyone else present are aware, criminals do not recognise borders and nor does crime. Unfortunately, there is a well-established criminal network operating throughout Europe. This proposal is another very important incremental step in addressing, dealing with, catching up with and, it is to be hoped, getting ahead of international organised crime.

I am glad there is no opposition to the proposal from the Minister. I was Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on justice for nine years. Much of the legislation is technical but extremely important. Although it may be technical, what it is trying to achieve is fundamental. The collaboration between agencies and the establishment of the joint committees are key to facing down the criminal elements that, unfortunately, operate not just within Europe but internationally throughout the world. The more understandings and structures we have, the more determined we will be. The more we work together, the more likely it is that we can address and reduce - we will never eliminate it - international organised crime to such a degree that society and the world can live in harmony in a way that is safe. As a small country, we can lead the way in that regard.

In my time in Europol and working within its structures, I and the other Irish representative from the justice committee, along with our MEPs who were on the Europol scrutiny committee, punched above our weight in ensuring that Europol was held accountable and did its job in a very focused way. I commend the motion to the House. I hope it will pass unanimously, as I think it will.