Seanad report:Despite last Tuesday's debate in the Dáil, politicians were no wiser to why the Government had exercised an opt-out in relation to European policing and judicial co-operation in the EU reform treaty, said Fine Gael justice spokesman Eugene Regan.
The Minister for Justice had spoken of concerns over the move to qualified-majority voting in this area. There was also concern over the possible establishment of a European public prosecutor office. However, the treaty provided that this could only be agreed by unanimity by the states.
Mr Regan said no specific example had been given of the area of law giving rise to concern.
There was - like the European arrest warrant - a proposal for a European evidence warrant. However, the Government had that in its programme for legislation for this year when the House would be asked to pass a Bill implementing that decision.
Mr Regan called for a report from the Minister on how we had exercised the opt-out provisions in the Schengen part of the treaty in the last number of years. This would provide guidance as to how the opt-out would be operated in policing and criminal law.
It was "a dangerous and a difficult thing to say politically", but a debate should be started on whether certain drugs should be legalised, David Norris (Ind) said. "I happen to believe they should, and I think this is the only way to defeat the criminal elements."
Cecilia Keaveney (FF) warned that there was no such thing as a soft drug. Alcohol and cigarettes were gateway drugs. We should not pander to any liberalisation in this matter.
Deirdre de Burca (Green) said her party would support a properly-resourced new national drugs strategy.
Pat Carey, Minister of State for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, said he would shortly be initiating the process that would lead to the formulation of a new national drug strategy.