Vol. 509 No. 1
81 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will allow members of the British police force to be transferred to work in An Garda Síochána; if such a transfer arrangement exists in any other EU country; the potential that this proposal would have in advancing east-west co-operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17305/99]
There are currently no plans to provide for the transfer of members of UK police forces to An Garda Síochána.
The Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations, 1988, as amended, prescribe the criteria for admission of trainees and appointment of members to the Garda Síochána. While the regulations make no provision for direct transfer to the Garda Síochána from UK police forces, they do not include any requirements as to nationality or residence. Similarly, I am not aware of any facility for direct transfer of members of the Garda Síochána to UK police forces or for transfers between EU police forces, generally.
In the context of training, the Garda authorities avail themselves, as far as possible having regard to operational commitments, of opportunities which arise for exchanges of personnel between the force and other law enforcement agencies. There are numerous examples of such arrangements. These include exchanges between gardaí in the Garda Training College and their counterparts in other police training colleges and exchanges of personnel for the purpose of language training. These exchanges facilitate the study of criminal justice systems in other jurisdictions and help to establish useful police contacts.
There are also more structured exchange arrangements in place. During its Presidency of the European Union Ireland brought forward proposals in the Justice and Home Affairs Council for the establishment of a framework, including funding arrangements, to develop and enhance co-operation between European Union police, customs and other law enforcement authorities. This initiative, known as the OISIN programme, was adopted at the Dublin Council on 20 December 1996. The programme envisages co-operation between member states' law enforcement authorities in the form of exchange and training.
