Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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101. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the letter from the PSNI to the British Metropolitan Police requesting that it contact An Garda Síochána regarding undercover policing by the British Metropolitan Police's special demonstration squad on the island of Ireland has been brought to her attention; and if the British Metropolitan Police has been in touch with An Garda Síochána further to this request from the PSNI. [2688/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that, as Minister for Justice and Equality, I have no function in respect of correspondence between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the London Metropolitan Police Service. The Garda Authorities are in ongoing contact with their counterparts in the London Metropolitan Police Service in the context of co-operation across a full range of policing issues. As the Deputy will also appreciate, An Garda Síochána and the PSNI work closely together on an ongoing basis in tackling crime and promoting community safety for communities on this island.

As I have stated to the House previously, in the light of developments which have taken place outside this jurisdiction since these matters first came to light, including the establishment by the UK Government of an inquiry (the Pitchford Inquiry) into undercover policing, I requested a fresh report from the Garda Commissioner on any issues arising. In seeking that report, I have not sought to circumscribe in any way the information which the Garda Commissioner would provide. I will fully consider this report when it is available.