Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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198. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures that will be implemented to improve security in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20955/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, there is very close and ongoing co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on all aspects of policing.

The Garda Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the PSNI, who are responsible for operational policing co-operation, have repeatedly emphasised that the close and high quality co-operation between their services has been instrumental in combating criminality, preventing attacks and saving lives.

The close co-operation between police services, particularly around the border, has been a key element of policing for some time and the Commissioner and Chief Constable are in regular contact in this regard.

Policing in the border region has long necessitated a collaborative approach to policing between the services and this remains the case.

The current cross-border cooperation mechanisms are the result of extensive consultation and agreement between the police authorities and governments in both jurisdictions.

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. It covers the range of policing activities and contains a series of initiatives in which both police services are actively engaged. All of these are important elements in enabling the two services to work more effectively together in tackling crime and promoting community safety for all communities on this island.

Both An Garda Síochána and the PSNI are involved in the Joint Agency Task Force, established under the Fresh Start Agreement, which is comprised of both police services as well as other relevant agencies from both sides of the border. The Joint Agency Task Force has made strong progress in tackling cross-border criminal activity across a range of crime areas, not just the traditional smuggling activities, but also rural and farm crimes, organised burglary and drug crime.

I am satisfied that effective and collaborative policing in the border region continues to be a priority for the Garda Commissioner and that the long established and close working relationship with the PSNI remains central in enabling the two services to work more effectively together in tackling crime and promoting community safety for all communities on this island and especially those in the border counties.