Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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471. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of all official engagements by him or the Ministers of State in his Department that have taken place in Northern Ireland since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6822/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that I have taken a strong interest in cross-border co-operation in policing and criminal justice on this island since taking office as Minister and I have developed a strong working relationship with my Northern Ireland counterparts. This co-operation is multifaceted, including frequent ministerial contacts and day-to-day operational interaction between the police services and other relevant agencies, in combating the security and crime threats that face this island. North-South co-operation in combating crime is both positive and dynamic. The challenges that crime presents are shared ones and joint working will continue to support and enhance our efforts to improve community safety for all communities on this island.

I have taken part in the following official engagements in Northern Ireland since coming to office:

24 March 2011 – Stormont, Belfast

Meeting with Northern Ireland Minister of Justice David Ford MLA, Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott to discuss cross border co-operation.

06 April 2011 – Beragh, Co. Tyrone

Attendance at the funeral of PSNI Constable Ronan Kerr.

08 June 2011 – Armagh, Co. Armagh

Meeting with Northern Ireland Minister of Justice David Ford MLA under the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters.

25 November 2011 –Antrim, Co. Antrim

Attendance at the Joint Probation Services’ Annual Seminar and meeting with Northern Ireland Minister of Justice David Ford MLA under the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters.

01 February 2012 – Belfast city

Meeting with Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland MLA.

01 February 2012 – Stormont, Belfast

Annual meeting with Northern Ireland Minister of Justice David Ford MLA and Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny McAskill MSP.

10 October 2012 – Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

Attendance at the North-South Seminar on Cross Border Organised Crime 2012 with Northern Ireland Minister of Justice David Ford MLA.

6 November 2012 – Cookstown, Co. Tyrone

Attendance at the funeral of Northern Ireland Prison Officer David Black.

16 October 2013 – Newry, Co. Down

Attendance at the Cross Border Human Trafficking Forum with Northern Ireland Minister of Justice David Ford MLA.

15 November 2013 – Hillsborough, Co. Down

Attendance at the Joint Probation Services’ Annual Seminar and meeting with Northern Ireland Minister of Justice David Ford MLA under the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters.