Mr. Ben Ryan:

First, the relationship and co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI is excellent. Both police services regularly cite the level of co-operation they get on all forms of crime. Tackling organised criminal gangs that operate close to or around the Border is a particular focus of the co-operation between the two services. Despite the fact that different laws are in place in the two jurisdictions, the relationship, operational co-operation and sharing of intelligence are key and that goes on daily. I have heard from colleagues in the Northern Ireland Department of Justice that certain PSNI members stationed near the Border have said they ring their counterparts in Dundalk or Monaghan more often than those in Lisburn or wherever. That is the level of co-operation there is and we want to maintain it and continue to build on it.

The second point the Senator made was relevant. If our approaches diverge further, it will present a policing challenge and there is no doubt about that. At the moment, both jurisdictions have similar enough legislation around the use of drugs. If there is a big divergence, the police services will have to take it into account and adopt practices accordingly.