Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Co-operation in policing and criminal justice on this island is a matter in which I have taken a particular interest since taking office as Minister. This co-operation takes place across many strands and at many levels from frequent ministerial meetings to day-to-day operational interaction between the police services and other justice agencies.

I maintain very regular contact with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford, to address matters of shared interest and enhance co-operation on all criminal justice matters. Under the Intergovernmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters, we operate a structured framework for co-operation involving the range of criminal justice agencies on this island. The personnel from these agencies work together in bringing forward an annual work programme of co-operation. The officials from our Departments also meet regularly to assess and report to us on developments. I also meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, to address a range of matters of mutual concern, particularly with regard to the security situation. I met the Secretary of State during this week in one of our regular meetings.

There is close and ongoing co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI on all aspects of policing. The two police services operate a joint cross-Border policing strategy which has as its aims to improve public safety throughout Ireland, disrupt criminal activity and enhance the policing capability of both police services on the island. The strategy includes sections dealing with operations, cross-Border investigations, intelligence sharing and security, information and communications technology, training, human resources and emergency planning.

The two police services are jointly engaged in implementing a number of initiatives in all these areas.

Combating the paramilitary threat is a continuing priority for both police services. The Garda works seamlessly with its Northern Ireland counterparts in actively bearing down on these criminal terrorists and on the organised crime gangs to which they are inextricably linked. The Garda Commissioner and the PSNI Chief Constable place strong emphasis on the close and high quality co-operation between the two police services and its importance in combating the shared threats which they must address.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

The joint cross-Border policing strategy recognises the particular value of interagency co-operation in certain areas, for example, in ongoing efforts to combat organised crime. A cross-Border taskforce on fuel laundering and smuggling comprising representatives from the two police forces, the two customs services, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency has underpinned successful actions to disrupt the activities of groups involved in laundering and distributing illegal fuels. A cross-Border tobacco enforcement group is also in place to support the fight against the activities of gangs engaged in tobacco fraud.

North-South co-operation in combating crime at the policy and operational levels 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.

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