Although some TDs raised concerns about the Gulf state’s record on human rights, no TDs voted against the approval of the treaties recently signed by justice minister Helen McEntee in Abu Dhabi.

Lawyer and human rights advocate Radha Stirling, who heads campaign group Detained in Dubai, previously said the deal would place Irish citizens at risk.

However, Mrs McEntee said the agreements contain “appropriate safeguards” to protect “Ireland’s red lines relating to human rights standards”.

Following the Dáil vote yesterday, the minister said: “Organised crime groups may think they can evade justice by crossing borders; they cannot. It is essential that they see there can be no hiding place from the law.

“The government is taking all necessary steps to dismantle organised crime and the State will do everything in its power to bring those who spread misery in our communities to justice.

“This agreement demonstrates firmly our commitment to strengthening judicial co-operation on criminal matters with other countries as part of our efforts to combat this serious global threat and put those at the top of organised crime behind bars.

“These treaties say very clearly that, if you have been involved in serious crime, no matter where you go, you cannot evade justice.”

The approval of these treaties follows several in-person negotiating rounds that took place between senior Irish officials and their Emirati counterparts, following the opening of negotiations last December.

“I have taken a number of steps to support international policing cooperation, which is crucial to dismantling organising crime gangs who engage in criminal activities such as money laundering, drugs and human trafficking,” Mrs McEntee said.

“In recent years, the United Arab Emirates has proven to be an important partner for An Garda Síochána in advancing criminal investigations in to serious and organised crime.

“That good operational co-operation builds on the deployment of a Garda liaison officer to Abu Dhabi last year on foot of government’s approval of an expansion to the Garda Liaison Network following a request from the Garda Commissioner.”