Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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465. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the outcome of any discussions he may have had with cross-border agencies, the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government, in order to tackle the growing problem of cross-border fuel laundering. [19130/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that responsibilities with regard to the problem of fuel laundering, both in the State and in the context of cross border cooperation, arise for a number of Departments and agencies. In particular, it is worth recalling that the lead role in combating fuel laundering rests with the Revenue Customs Service who work closely with all the relevant law enforcement agencies within the State and from Northern Ireland in tackling this activity.

With regard to those responsibilities that fall within the remit of my Department, and particularly in the context of cross border cooperation in the investigation of organised crime, I can inform the Deputy that the issue of fuel laundering does, of course, feature in discussions at the various fora established for the purpose of promoting such cooperation. As highlighted in the Cross Border Threat Assessment for 2012, fuel laundering continues to be a serious concern for authorities, North and South. Recognising this shared concern a Cross Border Tobacco Enforcement Group Task Force, comprising representatives from PSNI, HM Revenue Customs, SOCA (UK), the Revenue Commissioners, An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau has been established to target these activities on an all island basis.

The annual Cross Border Seminar on Organised Crime, which is an important event in the law enforcement calendar for agencies on both sides of the border, provides an opportunity to assess and address the ever changing trends in crime and the related Cross Border Threat Assessment. This seminar is organised jointly each year between the Department of Justice Northern Ireland and my Department. Such cross border co-operation is further reflected in the joint Cross Border Policing Strategy which has as its aims to improve public safety throughout Ireland, to disrupt criminal activity and to enhance the policing capability of both police services on the island.

At political level, I meet and maintain contact very regularly with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford, to address matters of mutual concern and enhance effective co-operation and co-ordination on all criminal justice matters. Under the Intergovernmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters we operate a structured framework to further develop this co-operation. Officials from our Departments also meet regularly to assess and report to us on developments in these matters. In concluding, I can assure the Deputy that there continues to be comprehensive and positive North-South co-operation in combating all forms of cross border crime.