Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that the cooperation between the police forces and Justice Departments of North and South will be maintained at the unprecedented level set by the previous Government [7164/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government is committed to maintaining the highest level of co-operation between the Garda and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI, and between my Department and the Northern Ireland Department of Justice. It is clear that by working together on matters of mutual concern and interest we can improve the lives of all the people on the island of Ireland.

Co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI remains at the highest level on all aspects of policing activity. Obviously, the appalling bomb attack in Omagh at the weekend, in which PSNI Constable Ronan Kerr was tragically killed, highlights once again the importance of the two police forces working together to counter the terrorist threat. I take the opportunity to reiterate the Government's total condemnation of that attack, as well as the commitment of the Garda Síochána to offer every support to the PSNI's efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

Operational policing co-operation is, of course, the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner and PSNI Chief Constable and their officers. As for meeting the threat posed by terrorists, I remind the House that the former Chief Constable stated publicly that some of his officers were alive thanks to pre-emptive Garda operations. The current Chief Constable has reiterated the high quality and importance of cross-Border co-operation and stated the quality of this co-operation is even higher than that between neighbouring police forces in Great Britain. The two police forces recently launched a new cross-Border policing strategy, covering areas including cross-Border investigations and operations, intelligence-sharing and security, information and communications technology and emergency planning. Under the 2002 police co-operation agreement, protocols have been signed that provide for the implementation of a programme of personnel exchanges and secondments between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI.

Structured co-operation between my Department and the Northern Ireland Department of Justice takes place under the auspices of the intergovernmental agreement on co-operation in criminal justice matters. The agreement provides for regular meetings between me and the Northern Ireland Minister for Justice to discuss criminal justice matters. One of my first actions following my appointment as Minister was to meet my counterpart in Northern Ireland, Mr. David Ford. We reaffirmed our commitment to continuing co-operation between our two Departments on these issues. I was accompanied at that meeting by the Garda Commissioner, while Mr. Ford was accompanied by the Chief Constable of the PSNI, Mr. Matt Baggott.

Overall, I have no doubt that working together in such areas as criminal justice policy, enforcement policy and the sharing of expertise and best practice can only be to the benefit of all the people on this island.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I congratulate the Minister on his appointment and join him in reiterating our condemnation of the recent attack that resulted in the death of Constable Kerr. I again offer my condolences to the Kerr family, as well as those of my constituents in Limerick, many of whom expressed to me their horror and revulsion. The programme for Government contains a commitment that all necessary resources will be given to the Garda Síochána to deal with the threat posed by dissidents and paramilitary groups. Will the Minister outline, in broad terms, the type and cost of such resources provided? In addition, will he provide Members with an overview of the level of co-operation between the Department of Justice and Equality and the Garda Síochána in the investigation into the death of Constable Kerr? For example, how many gardaí have been allocated to the investigation on a full-time basis?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The second part of the Deputy's question is, of course, an operational matter between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI. As for the first part of the question, there is absolutely no question but that the Garda will be fully supported in its efforts to counter the activities of the criminal terrorists who robbed Constable Kerr of his life. The programme for Government makes clear the Government's commitment to ensuring the necessary resources will be available to the Garda Commissioner and his officers and I reiterate that commitment today. I met the Commissioner shortly after my appointment and confirmed to him the Government's absolute commitment to ensure he would have available to him all resources required in dealing with the threat posed. I speak regularly with him and there was a full security briefing following the weekend's atrocity. On Monday he briefed the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and me.

I had visited Garda Headquarters only the previous Friday to discuss the issue of criminal terrorists and a broad range of other issues in the criminal justice area and matters relating to the Garda. The Commissioner has assured me that he has the resources he requires to deal with those who still are intent on violence and attempting to disrupt the peace process and return us to the past. The Garda, in full co-operation with the PSNI, will not let up in bringing to bear the full pressure of the law on those who are seeking to drag us all back to a violent past. This was reiterated by me in my conversations with the Minister, Mr. Ford, on Saturday evening shortly after the atrocity that resulted in the death of Constable Kerr. At the weekend the Commissioner stated his officers' solidarity with their colleagues in the PSNI and the determination of the two organisations to work together to bring to justice those responsible. He will, of course, continue to have the Government's full and determined support in this regard.

As the Deputy is aware, there have been some developments in the investigations taking place in Northern Ireland into the death of Constable Kerr, although it would not be appropriate for me to comment on these matters in this House. I note that when I attended the constable's funeral yesterday, in the company of the Taoiseach, we reiterated the support of the Government and the Garda. Moreover, the Commissioner also met the Chief Constable of the PSNI, Mr. Matt Baggott. All I can state is that the Government is absolutely resolute to provide all necessary assistance and help in counteracting the serious threat posed.