Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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520. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the problem of cross-border agricultural crime. [9239/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I maintain very regular contact with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford, to address matters of shared interest and to enhance co-operation on all policing and criminal justice matters on this island.

I have taken a strong interest in cross-border co-operation in policing and criminal justice on this island since taking office as Minister. This co-operation is multifaceted, including frequent ministerial contacts and day-to-day operational interaction between the police services and other relevant agencies, all aimed at improving community safety for all communities on this island including, in particular, those close to the border.

There is, of course, close and ongoing co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI on all aspects of policing. The two police services operate a 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. The two police services are jointly engaged in implementing a number of initiatives in all areas of policing in all these areas with, understandably, a focus on areas close to the border, including those in the Deputy's constituency.

The prevention and disruption of agricultural crimes in border areas involves a multi-agency approach including An Garda Síochána, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Department of Agriculture and Marine Investigation Unit, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland and the Revenue and Customs Services, North and South. An Garda Síochána also work closely with the Irish Farmers Association in addressing this type of crime.

I can assure the Deputy that North-South co-operation at policy and operational levels in combating all types of crime, including agricultural crime is positive and dynamic. The challenges that crime presents are shared ones on this island and joint working in the fight against crime will continue to enhance our efforts to improve community safety for all.