Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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527. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the consideration that she has given to the most recent report of the independent reporting committee which was set up under the Fresh Start Agreement to monitor progress on tackling paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland; the actions, if any, that she intends on taking based on the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35932/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Independent Reporting Commission plays a very important role in highlighting what still needs to be done to tackle residual paramilitarism in Northern Ireland.

To facilitate monitoring of the implementation of measures aimed at ending paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland, the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement provided for the establishment by the two Governments of the Independent Reporting Commission.

In summary, the Commission’s functions are to report annually on progress towards ending continuing paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland; report on the implementation of the relevant measures of the three administrations; and to consult with relevant stakeholders in this regard. 

The Commission submitted its first report to the Governments in 2018, and its most recent report was received at the end of last year.

I and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland have welcomed the reports. They provide an opportune reminder of the continuing adverse impact of paramilitarism on society in Northern Ireland. The Reports set out a pathway to achieving progress.

The Commission, in their Reports, note the extent and effectiveness of the co-operation between the Authorities in both jurisdictions to tackle paramilitary activity and associated criminality.

In each report, the Commission also makes a number of recommendations. I have met with the Commission to hear about the progress the Commission has been making in carrying out its functions and to provide any assistance this Government can offer to achieve its task. These meetings with members of the Commission have always been very informative and constructive.

The reports of the IRC and their recommendations continue to be considered as part of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference with my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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528. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the ongoing contact that she or her Department has with the Northern Ireland Justice Department in relation to matters of North-South interest; when she last met the Minister for Justice in that jurisdiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35933/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to Question No. 5 of today's date.

I am pleased to say there is ongoing contact between myself and my colleague, Naomi Long, Minister for Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive, as well as excellent ongoing cross border co-operation between our respective Departments on a range of issues as well as between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland and other agencies with their counterparts. 

As the Deputy is aware,  the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Co-operation on Criminal Justice is the main formal stream of ongoing joint work with the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland. Under the IGA, Justice Ministers from the two jurisdictions meet regularly to discuss criminal justice matters of mutual interest or concern and to develop plans to achieve more effective co-operation and co-ordination on criminal justice matters. The last IGA Ministerial meeting was held virtually in February at which Minister Long and I agreed a new work plan to run until the end of 2023. The next Ministerial meeting under the IGA is being planned for the autumn and will hopefully be in person.

Under the IGA, a Senior Officials Working Group oversees co-operation in a number of criminal justice areas including forensic science, public protection, victim support and youth justice matters. This Group last met in March and includes senior policy-makers from all the relevant areas from both jurisdictions.

Outside of the formal framework of the IGA, there is regular North-South co-operation. Minister Long and I have recently engaged on victim’s issues and we issued a joint statement to mark international women’s day on the topic of consent.

The Secretary General of my Department met with her counterpart recently and there is ongoing contact at senior official level.