Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will seek confirmation on the two issues the Deputy has raised concerning the recent engagement my colleagues had with their counterparts. I believe in all jurisdictions, including for Irish citizens in Northern Ireland, people having swift access to justice is an important part of any effective justice system.

I am personally engaging with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on his responsibility for security matters in Northern Ireland and mine for such matters in Ireland. I saw him last night informally at a Good Friday Agreement event but last formally spoke to him on 28 March, when he updated me on the decision to increase the terror threat level in Northern Ireland. I also spoke to him on the phone about the horrific attack on the life of DCI Caldwell and to offer our support and solidarity.

The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference was established under the Good Friday Agreement to promote bilateral co-operation on matters of mutual interest within the competency of the UK and Irish governments. I attended the last such meeting with the Tánaiste in Farmleigh, Dublin on 19 January.

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