Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree by and large with what Deputy O'Callaghan has said and I wish to assure the House that the Garda Síochána, in conjunction with interested parties here, the primary stakeholders and the cross-Border initiatives, are making every effort, and I acknowledge their excellent ongoing relationship, to tackle cross-Border issues. This issue is no different in Northern Ireland than it is here. A cross-Border seminar on organised crime took place recently. This is an annual event organised jointly by the two justice departments and the two police services focusing on increased co-operation and best practice in countering organised crime which seeks to exploit the Border. Furthermore, the joint agency task force established under the fresh start agreement engages the two police services in the lead role, with other agencies in structured strategic operational co-operation to combat cross-Border crime. Ensuring this type of co-operation can continue into the future remains a key priority for me.

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