Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

39. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to meet her Spanish and Dutch counterparts to discuss strengthening ties in tackling organised crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29762/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, on the 9th and 10th of June this year I held bilateral discussions with my Ministerial counterparts from Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium in the margins of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

The purpose of these meetings was to discuss bilateral cooperation in the field of home affairs and in particular police cooperation against organised crime groups operating in both countries.

High levels of cooperation have been maintained and recent operational activities involving An Garda Síochána and their Spanish colleagues clearly demonstrate the close liaison An Garda Siochána has in place with other law enforcement agencies internationally.

I can assure the Deputy that the Garda authorities and the Government are absolutely determined that Irish criminals will not escape justice by fleeing this jurisdiction or by seeking to conduct their criminal activities from abroad.

The transnational dimension to much organised crime activity is well recognised and is reflected in the development of the European systems providing for cooperation amongst the Member States in tackling serious transnational crime.

Through these systems, An Garda Síochána maintains close liaison with other law enforcement agencies throughout Europe and through Europol, exchanging information and intelligence as appropriate.

I will continue to maintain contact with my JHA colleagues in relation to criminal justice matters including cooperation in tackling serious and organised crime across the EU through the meetings of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council, the next of which will take place in Luxembourg later this week.