Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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49. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he has taken to address criminality in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39601/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that there is close and ongoing co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI in tackling criminal activity in the border region which is reflected in the Cross-Border Policing Strategy already in place between both forces in addressing crime and terrorist activities in all its manifestations.

Inter agency co-operation is a key factor in combating the activities of organised criminal gangs operating on this island. A number of task forces are already in existence which serve to target cross border organised criminal activity including the Cross-Border Task Force on Fuel Laundering and Smuggling and the Cross Border Tobacco Enforcement Group.

Through the work of these task forces, successful actions continue to be taken against those involved in such forms of crime with criminal groups, operating in both jurisdictions, having been identified and disrupted, with them being specifically targeted for investigation by all the enforcement agencies concerned.

Further to this a Cross Border Threat Assessment is updated for law enforcement purposes and is published biennially in conjunction with the Cross Border Seminar on Organised Crime. The Assessment is important in aiding law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border to identify emerging trends in cross border criminality, and serves to highlight issues of immediate concern.

Specifically with regard to tackling any terrorist threat, the counter-terrorism strategies and intelligence-led operations of An Garda Síochána, in cooperation with its partners in Northern Ireland, are focused on targeting and disrupting any operational planning or logistical support being conducted or contemplated in this jurisdiction.

In tandem with this ongoing co-operation taking place at operational level, I meet and maintain regular contact 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. In this regard the two Justice Departments, the police authorities and the public prosecutors North and South have also jointly developed and put in place a Joint Manual of Guidance for use in criminal investigations with a cross-border element.

All of the above are important elements in enabling the two police forces to work more effectively together in tackling criminality in the border area and in promoting community safety for all communities on this island.