Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 April 2014
138. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding co-operation between the PSNI, An Garda Síochána and the revenue agencies on the island of Ireland; if he is satisfied with the level of co-operation; and his plans to increase co-operation. [18205/14]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that there has been, is, and will continue to be excellent cross-border co-operation between An Garda Síochána, the PSNI and the Revenue agencies, North and South.
The Garda Síochána has a strong and productive relationship with the PSNI in taking actions to counter the security and other crime threats which face this island, including the activities of the organised criminal gangs to which the paramilitary groups are inextricably linked.
The two police forces 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. This joint Strategy recognises the particular value of interagency co-operation, involving the customs and criminal assets recovery services in both jurisdictions. This approach is a key factor in combating the activities of those criminal gangs who seek to exploit the border for their own gain.
I would point the Deputy, for example, to the successful actions that have been taken against a number of groups involved in the laundering and distribution of illegal fuels, and in tobacco fraud. These groups, operating in both jurisdictions, have been identified and disrupted, and are now being specifically targeted for investigation by all the enforcement agencies concerned.
These actions have been underpinned by a Cross-Border Task Force on Fuel Laundering and Smuggling, comprising representatives from the two police forces, the two customs services, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency. A similar group, the Cross Border Tobacco Enforcement Group, is also in place to support the fight against the activities of gangs engaged in tobacco fraud.
I would point out to the House that each year my Department and the Garda authorities, in conjunction with their counterparts in Northern Ireland, organise a Cross-Border Organised Crime Seminar. This provides an opportunity to assess and address changing trends in crime, and to build upon and enhance the operational actions already being undertaken. The fact that the Seminar is now in its twelfth year is testimony to the excellent co-operation that exists between the law enforcement agencies on the island in terms of exchanging knowledge and experience, and seeking to further enhance and deepen co-operation and joint-working in the fight against crime.
