Call for car clampdown

The Moville-based politician complemented the PSNI on its efforts to tackle cross-border climb but said An Garda Sochna should be more pro-active in tackling the problem.

One way of doing this is to stop northern registered cars she told the Senate in Dublin recently.

"In County Donegal there are many people driving around in Northern Ireland registered cars," she said.

"There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of such cars. The drivers are not being challenged and the necessary resources are not being given to Customs officials to deal with them,” she continued.

“I am told one drugs haul would be worth quite a few cars but my attitude is that if people get away with minor breaches of the law, they are more inclined to attempt major breaches.

“f we do not address the issue of cars, we must ask how serious we are about tackling those who are breaking the law to a slightly greater extent but perhaps not to the extent of the top criminals covered by this legislation."

The Londonderry-born representative made the comments during a debate on money-laundering.

She also said: "While we cannot direct the Garda Commissioner, I would like to believe he could be encouraged to assign specific staff to deal with cross-Border crime, if he has not already done so. This would ensure continuity and the building of cross-Border relationships."