EUROPEAN governments have agreed a package of measures to combat drug trafficking and organised crime.
The programme was one "that nobody would have thought Europe could possibly have agreed if you asked them that question 12 months ago," the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, said.
Not only did member-states agree measures to tackle drug smuggling, but they also involved the applicant countries of eastern Europe and Cyprus in their efforts against organised crime, seen by EU leaders as the biggest threat to the security of the Union.
Irish officials were pleased with the progress made in Justice and Home Affairs. This "third pillar" area deals with some of the most sensitive national issues and agreement must be unanimous, ensuring it has long been a minefield for those promoting security initiatives.
There are more questions to be addressed concerning border controls. Some states have more faith in a system of internal security, with procedures such as identity cards, than in more secure borders. "The issue is not really where the control takes place but the effectiveness of the controls," Mr Bruton said.
The programme to tackle drug trafficking was agreed after the Netherlands and France lifted their reservations to some parts of it. The key elements are procedures for improving co-operation among customs services, police and forensic science laboratories.
But member-states are also looking beyond their own borders, at ways to inhibit the production and supply of drugs from countries in Asia and Latin America. In this respect they are following the US efforts to tackle the problem at its source. The Portuguese Prime Minister, Mr Antonio Guterres, said an effective alternative-crop programme for the coca-growing areas of Latin America would only cost one third of the amount being spent on the fight against drugs in Europe.
Member-states also faced up to the relatively new danger of large-scale production of "synthetic drugs" - those produced with chemicals rather than originating from plants. Here they agreed measures to control the use of precursors, the ingredients of the new drugs.
At the conclusion of the summit EU leaders agreed that the measures constituted a "first step" and pointed out there was a need - for "continued examination of further harmonisation of laws".
The more "liberal" Dutch approach to cannabis use remains a difficulty in this area. The Dutch believe their tolerance of small scale use of "soft drugs" separates users of these drugs from the black market in "hard drugs" such as heroin, and leads to lower levels of addiction and fewer drug-related deaths.
Other states, particularly France, consider this approach undermines their own efforts to curb drug use. The Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Wim Kok, told other EU leaders: "What counts is results, especially in relation to public health." But he acknowledged the "need to avoid transfrontier difficulties arising from differences in national laws".
As the summit concluded EU leaders agreed an assessment of the new drug-trafficking measures should be drawn up by the end of next year.