Justice Ministers welcome strategy for cross-border police co-operation

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and her Northern Ireland counterpart, Claire Sugden, have welcomed the publication of a strategy for co-operation between gardaí and the PSNI.

Ms Fitzgerald and Ms Sugden spoke at the annual Cross Border Organised Crime Conference, which brings together law enforcement agencies to learn from successes and consider new challenges.

The revised Cross Border Policing Strategy launched at the conference by PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton and Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan will guide the work of the Joint Agency Task Force established following the Fresh Start Agreement.

Ms Fitzgerald said it was “entirely logical for us to collaborate on developing solutions to address our common challenges”.

She added: “I welcome the new Cross Border Policing Strategy as the latest expression of this cooperation.

“The new Strategy updates the objectives for cross border cooperation across a range of policing areas and will be of significant benefit to keeping our communities safe and secure.

“I must also commend the ongoing collaboration that underpins the Joint Agency Task Force and I welcome the success of the joint operations already undertaken.

“The work of the Task Force demonstrates the commitment on the part of law enforcement agencies, north and south, to tackling organised crime and paramilitarism. I congratulate all who are involved.”

Ms Sugden said: “This revised Strategy underlines the continuing practical and strategic co-operation that exists between the two police services, and it will further cement the excellent working relationships that have proved so effective.

“The new Joint Agency Task Force will also further enhance the cooperation between PSNI and An Garda Síochána and, indeed, other law enforcement agencies.”

In advance of the conference, Ms Fitzgerald and Ms Sugden met under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters.

The pair discussed a number of issues of mutual interest, including the 2016/17 Work Programme and the justice implications of Brexit.