Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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679. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if co-operation between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána has been affected by the end of the Brexit transition period; her views on whether the two police services can maintain the level of co-operation enjoyed pre-Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7291/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the management of An Garda Síochána, including matters relating to cooperation with law enforcement in other jurisdictions. As Minister, I do not have direct responsibility for such arrangements.

However I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána have not experienced any adverse effect to its border policing operations since the end of the Brexit transition period on the 31 December 2020.

I am advised that the four Divisions of Cavan-Monaghan, Donegal, Louth and Sligo-Leitrim continue to collaborate with the PSNI on a number of levels, including cross border local arrangements and sharing of information which allow for ongoing day to day cooperation between both Police Services.

I am assured by Garda authorities that the long established and close working relationship with the PSNI remains central in An Garda Síochána’s efforts to providing an effective policing service to the border area and its communities, and is exampled in many areas such as Roads Policing Operations, Major Investigations and State Security.

I am further informed that the Cross Border Joint Agency Task Force also continues to enjoy high levels of co-operation and operational activity between all the Law Enforcement Agencies in tackling organised and cross jurisdictional crime. This collaborative effort continues to effectively achieve the shared objectives of An Garda Síochána and the PSNI in keeping our communities safe.