Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 784: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if adequate communication structures exist between the Garda and police in other jurisdictions and Interpol to meet the challenge of international and national organised crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11232/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the communications structures currently existing between the Garda Síochána and police forces in other jurisdictions are adequate to meet the challenges posed by domestic and international organised crime.

These structures include the i24/7 system, which is an IT-based method of electronically and securely transferring data between 182 Interpol countries. In addition, the Europol national unit in Garda headquarters has a secure electronic link with Europol in the Hague and with the liaison bureau in the Hague.

I am further informed that there is an excellent network of Garda liaison officers in France, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom which has proved to be very successful in tackling international organised criminal activity.