The future of European border security is being decided right row at the European Commission. It is currently drafting the renewed mandate of Frontex, the EU border police force. As Ireland holds the rotating EU Presidency, the Minister for justice cannot simply pose as a disinterested broker while our European borders are compromised. We must proactively shape this agenda. It is worth noting that the Government pushed ahead with committing Ireland to the EU migration pact, despite widespread national sovereignty reservations from both Houses, on the ground that the EU approach would be better. Added to this, we now have Ministers posturing before the electorate as they try to project a tough stance on migration. They must put their actions where their rhetoric is, and they must do so on the EU level they have signed our nation to.

Holding the EU Presidency gives this Government massive agenda-setting leverage at the Council of Ministers. The Minister must use this chairing power to strip out counterproductive rights promotion provisions. Under the guise of good intentions, these provisions and their enforcers have defanged and undermined Frontex. We must stop internal activists from harassing front-line border guards who are simply trying to enforce our laws.

Furthermore, we must demand an end to bureaucratic data-protecting red tape. It is absurd that Frontex is blocked from sharing critical human trafficking intelligence directly with Europol or national police forces. The Minister should use Ireland's platform to mandate seamless intelligence sharing and expand offshore third country return hubs.

We do not need a bloated, humanitarian NGO. We need a highly effective, technologically advanced border policing force. If this Government wants to prove its tough stance on migration in real terms, it must use its unique presidential powers to push these common-sense governmental reforms onto the Brussels negotiation table.

I also want to second the comments made by Senator Mullen on the death of Ann Widdicombe. It is a dark day for all those who serve in public office.