The Co-Chairman (Mr Frank Feighan TD)

John mentioned Narrow Water Bridge. There has to be an economic justification for these decisions, but, if it has never been there, it is difficult to judge its potential. I went and looked at the site either side of the lough as to where the bridge might be. Obviously, we had full support for this, but the tender process was very much out of line with the initial estimates. So, when the original funding had to be allocated, it was moved onto the rail system, so it now becomes part of the application under the new funding regime. This Government remains fully committed to Narrow Water Bridge, but I think it is a case of being able to make the design and the structure conform to the limited extent of funding that is there, but also to clearly be creative and realistic in the context of what it might mean in terms of the economic development North-South.

Let me assure you that the Government remains committed to the A5, that money is in place and, obviously, will be provided whenever the legal difficulties are dealt with and whenever it is required to pay upfront. We are committed to that very strongly for development in the north-west.

Robert asked in respect of the difficulties that arise in Europe at the moment. Let me tell you that this is obviously part of geo-politics that need to be looked at in a different sense. Clearly, the European Council has been very direct in its response in terms of sanctions against the oligarchs of Russia, but, clearly, what is happening in eastern Ukraine, where 1,000 sq km have been, as it were, taken over by so-called separatists, is part of unease and great concern in eastern Europe, and not only in eastern Ukraine now, but you have had the annexation of Crimea and you have difficulties in Azerbaijan, in Moldova, in Armenia and in Georgia. Clearly, countries that were part of the former eastern bloc are very sensitive as to what is happening on their borders, be it the visible evidence of overflights by Russia—we have had some of these outside the territorial airspace here on the west coast. So, these are matters that concern the European Council greatly. Obviously, President Hollande and Chancellor Merkel have spent some considerable time with President Poroshenko and dealing directly with President Putin. It is our hope that the very difficult negotiations leading to the ceasefire will actually be able to hold, but, given past history, these things are very difficult.

I would say that the opportunity here is for the people in Ukraine to be able to demonstrate, and that their wishes are reflected in their wishing to join with the European Union and do business with the European Union. The council, in response, has been very forthright in the decisions that it has made in terms of trade and opportunities that exist there.

However, in a wider sense, clearly, the implications of what is happening in Syria and other countries, such as Libya, present great difficulties for peace throughout the region. Energy from Russia is an issue that is of such importance, particularly for eastern countries, but here also in western Europe. When you consider that a million people have left Syria and gone into south Lebanon, where the Irish army supplies troops to the United Nations, and that another million have gone into Jordan, there is not any practical plan laid out to deal with the humanitarian consequences of that. Also, you have the difficulties in Libya. You still have the consequences in terms of Pakistan and Iraq and all of the other matters that are arising with ISIS and the jihadists who are intent on changing life for the worse for so many people. So, from a European Council perspective, let me assure the Assembly here that the Council is very concerned and indeed very active at the very highest level in trying to deal with this. At the other end of the scale, President Putin has got to understand that this is not the way that business is to be conducted, and, within those very difficult negotiations, I hope that the ceasefire can hold and that lives can be saved and killings prevented. So, the question is not one for the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly to be able to decide on, but it is one that it should express interest in because the consequences are for everybody.

I just have a question on the co-operation between North and South in health matters and drug-related issues. I know there is fantastic co-operation with the police and policing, but this is actually on the treatment. What brings it to mind is that I visited New Hope Residential Centre in Tallaght and there was a man from Belfast there, who said, ‘I wanted to get away from my own community’, and he had thrived and was off drugs. But when I enquired into the actual co-operation funding between North and South, that New Hope resident said, ‘I wish there were’. Now, whether it was the case, I will have to enquire into it further, but it is an area that we should definitely look at when we are co-operating North-South, because we have an awful lot to offer from both sides of the island.

I think it is, perhaps, appropriate, when you mention how both North and South of the island came together following the Canary Wharf bombing, and I think the Narrow Water Bridge would certainly be a symbol of how North and South can come together. Also, I think, the economic feasibility and the economic stability would be there and the economic positive side of it will be shown, as well as the tourism side.

I would just ask you, Taoiseach, if you would perhaps give us a definite view on how feasible it is or whether you think this will actually come to pass. We have had a huge disappointment in the area with the ongoing planning and so on, so far, but, in your estimation, do you think this is viable? Do you think that it is going to come to pass?
The Co-Chairman (Mr Frank Feighan TD): Thank you, Senator Moran. An Taoiseach.
The Taoiseach: Thank you, Deputy. Let me tell you that when I went into a coffee shop on the northern side, the man said to me, ‘You’re here about the bridge’. Clearly, this will be the first physical point of contact across the lough. It is for engineers to decide the structure, the scale and the design of that bridge, and for the local authorities and transport departments to assess the run-in to the point of crossing—the improvement on the roads on either side. So, we are serious about it. Obviously, the new application for the new funds will include this. It is how feasible you make it afterwards to make it happen is the pointed issue. We are certainly very much committed to it and favour it.

In respect of Senator Walsh’s valid comment about organised crime, it is only valuable if it generates proceeds for those who are involved in crime. That is why you will need close co-operation between revenue, customs, the Garda and the PSNI, which you have. Obviously, changes in differences in currency values lead to organised crime and many of these things, because, as I said, it only becomes more prevalent if it generates proceeds for those involved. So, this was discussed at the last meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council and will continue to be on the agenda for the different meetings, both at the committees and at the plenary session. I will host the next one down here in June and it will be on the agenda for that, also.

In respect of Lord Empey’s comments, you know yourself the point that has been made about the elimination of red tape, about the conclusion of the single market and the implications for the digital market. There are so many areas here where Europe can actually improve. The new college of Commissioners contains five former prime ministers. The concept here is that, when political decisions are made, they should be implemented and not get strangled in forests of bureaucracy. Now, Prime Minister Cameron has been very forthright since the original letter that he wrote to the previous Presidency and the Commission, that there are a whole range of areas where things could be improved in terms of eliminating red tape. In other words, if you have eliminated the borders from one country to another in terms of doing business, you still have not eliminated the digital borders and the single market is not the way that it should be.

Given the fact that we are involved in the transatlantic trade and investment partnership trade relationship talks with the United States, the two most developed trading blocs on the planet not only have the potential for several million jobs either side of the Atlantic, but also to set down the standard for world trade for the next 50 years. No politician—no leader—in a European context, can be happy with the scale of unemployment right across Europe, with particular reference to young people where, in some countries, it is over 50%, and you are well aware that if you do not provide opportunity, hope and aspiration for young people, then frustration, disillusionment, anger, rage and extremism take their place. That is a matter for politicians to deal with. We like to think that, in this small island here, despite the economic catastrophe, our country is making very steady progress, now, with the fastest growth rate in Europe, but it means the opportunity to create jobs and political stability in all of these countries is so important.

So, in the sense of being able to do business, Lord Empey, it is a case of cutting out the superfluous and putting in place the practical and effective response. We share the view of the British Government on this very strongly, not to the point where we will need a raft of changes to the European treaties, but, within that limit, there are clearly opportunities for more effective working with the community, and we have been supportive of that at Commission and at Council level.

10.15 am.

Senator Keane, yes, there is a great deal of co-operation, obviously, with the radiology business in terms of Altnagelvin and the health relationship there. The building in Dublin of the national children’s hospital will be one of the biggest construction jobs ever carried out on the island of Ireland and will provide specialist, world-class facilities for children for the island of Ireland for the next 50 years. So, we hope that that gets the green light in terms of its planning application and the process thereafter.

You also mentioned the close co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda. Obviously, this is ongoing, and we recall the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe. The level of co-operation that exists between the Garda and the PSNI is very important for all our peoples, and we want to see that maintained.

You mentioned short-term secondments. I think that the value of having the British-Irish and also the ministerial council is that where complications or obstacles arise, the value of political discussion is to be able to eliminate them. You have mentioned one case in point of having to resign in order to take up the secondment—

During the course of this inquiry, the committee met with a wide range of witnesses, including with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD; Minister of Justice, David Ford MLA; the Garda Commissioner, Nóirín O’Sullivan; and the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, George Hamilton. The committee also held meetings with officials from the Northern Ireland Department of Justice and the Department of Justice and Equality; representatives from the Revenue Commissioners and from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs; the chief executives of Monaghan, Louth and Donegal county councils, representatives of Retailers Against Smuggling, Irish Petrol Retailers Association and Grant Thornton, which produces an annual report on the fiscal losses incurred as a result of illicit trade.

In addition, I recently travelled with Senator Jim Walsh and Viscount Bridgeman to south Armagh to meet with members of the PSNI in Crossmaglen to hear at first hand of the effects of cross-Border smuggling on the policing of that area. We also met with members of An Garda Síochána in Dundalk to hear their assessment of the situation. I would like to thank all those who gave of their time to speak to the committee on this important issue. I hope that the plenary will today take note of this report as an important contribution to the debate on matters of considerable importance and public interest in these islands.

The report is intended as a follow-up to Committee A’s 2009 report into cross-Border co-operation between police forces. In the intervening period, we have had policing and justice powers devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive, so the committee agreed it was a good time to revisit the issue to see what progress had been made since that milestone had been reached. I am pleased to report that we heard that cross-Border police co-operation is excellent, and I hope this report will serve as a testament to the great co-operative work being done across this island, not just by the Garda and PSNI, but by the many law enforcement agencies, especially the revenue authorities and the departments involved in tackling organised crime and illicit trade. This excellent co-operation spans across all levels of law enforcement and is both formal and informal, with daily co-operation taking place on an operational basis.

We also heard that despite this excellent co-operation, cross-Border smuggling continues to cause huge problems across the island, costing both exchequers hundreds of millions each year. In particular, fuel laundering and cigarette smuggling are causing huge problems, and many of the witnesses the committee met commented on the ingenuity and capability of the organised criminals involved in these enterprises to adapt to changing market conditions. In the case of fuel laundering, we also heard that it is very difficult to secure prosecutions against these crime gangs because the fuel plants are frequently operated automatically in remote, often difficult-to-police Border areas, with limited opportunity to arrest the perpetrators. On our visit to that area we saw a number of these installations.

I heard first hand of some of these difficulties when I recently travelled, as I said, to south Armagh with my colleagues to meet with PSNI officers stationed in Crossmaglen. The south Armagh Border region is an area with a particularly high concentration of fuel laundering plants and filling stations selling this illegal fuel. The PSNI there are operating in an often difficult policing environment and are closely co-operating with their southern counterparts to carry out operations to eliminate this illegal activity. But more needs to be done, hence our recommendations, particularly that a task force be established that would be inclusively comprised of the police, the Revenue, customs, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the northern equivalent, and the environmental agencies, and indeed the recommendation that deals with ‘phoenix company’ operations.

The report outlines also what I hope are some useful recommendations to aid law enforcement officials, North and South, to once and for all tackle these organised crime gangs. The work that has been done in this regard to date must be recognised and praised, and the committee is particularly impressed with the recently formed cross-Border enforcement groups established to tackle fuel and tobacco fraud. Additionally, the committee looks forward to the introduction of a new fuel marker later in 2015, which was developed by a recent cross-Border project and promises to seriously curb the incidence of diesel laundering.

This has been a very interesting and thought-provoking inquiry. I would like to recognise the hard work and contribution by the committee to this report. With your permission, Chair, I would now invite my committee members who wish to say a few words on the report to do so. Go raibh maith agat.