Representatives from more than 40 countries attended the London event, hosted by the UK prime minister Keir Starmer and home secretary Yvette Cooper.

Attendees included ministers from a number of EU member states and other European countries, as well as representatives of US, African, Asian and Middle Eastern countries as well as social media companies.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “The coming together of so many countries, from Europe and beyond, for this Border Security Summit shows this importance we all place on tackling organised immigration crime.

“Immigration crime to and within Europe is reaching new heights and the Irish government is committed to stepping up our fight against the criminal networks who take advantage of often vulnerable migrants, in pursuit of profit, as well as strengthening our international partnerships with those who share this objective.

“The Summit provides a valuable opportunity for us to discuss, and agree, how to work together to tackle the organised criminal groups responsible for immigration crime.”

He added: “It is clear that the criminal networks facilitating illegal migration are also deeply embedded in other forms of organised crime and are generating billions in illicit profits annually, financing further criminal activities.

“To effectively dismantle these networks, we have to be able to target the huge financial gains they are making, and to ensure at a national level we can do this, the Irish government has recently approved draft legislation to significantly enhance the efficiency of our asset recovery system and reinforce our ability to combat organised crime effectively.

“By having robust and effective financial investigations, asset tracing and confiscation, and by fostering transparency, and enhancing cross-border collaboration, we can, and we will, strike at the heart of organised immigration crime.”

Ms Cooper said yesterday: “Organised immigration crime undermines our security and puts lives at risk. The criminal networks have spread across the globe and no single country can tackle this problem alone.

“Today, at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, the UK has led the way forward by securing international commitments to disrupt and pursue this vile criminal trade in people — part of our Plan for Change to strengthen our borders and keep communities safe.”