Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
47. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the discussions he and his Department have had with their counterparts in Northern Ireland on North-South justice issues since he became Minister; the progress made in this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17285/23]
View answerWill the Minister give an update on discussions he has had with his counterparts in Northern Ireland on North-South justice issues and the progress made in this period? Are we coming to an understanding on some of the outstanding issues?
I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for his question and for his ongoing work. I only wish I had counterparts in Northern Ireland. I do not say that to be facetious but the Deputy will see during my answer how the absence of an Executive stymies some levels of engagement. However, I am pleased to say there is excellent ongoing cross-Border co-operation with counterparts in Northern Ireland on relevant justice matters. It is important I state that clearly. This includes co-operation between my Department and the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland on a range of issues as well as extraordinarily good co-operation between An Garda Síochána, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI, and other agencies with their counterparts.
The intergovernmental agreement on co-operation on criminal justice matters, IGA, is the main formal stream of ongoing joint work. Under the IGA, a senior officials working group oversees co-operation through a number of co-chaired policy advisory groups in a range of criminal justice areas, including forensic science, probation, public protection, victim support and youth justice matters. This group last met last month, March, and includes senior policymakers from all relevant areas from both jurisdictions. The group progresses criminal justice matters of mutual interest with the aim of achieving more effective co-operation and co-ordination on criminal justice matters. The IGA also offers a structured mechanism under which Ministers from both jurisdictions meet. Unfortunately, with the current lack of an Executive, it has not been possible to meet in this ministerial format in recent months, but the senior officials working group continues to meet to progress the work plan as approved by Ministers.
There is regular North-South co-operation outside of the formal framework of the IGA. For example, in February, officials from my Department met with their counterparts from Northern Ireland on international co-operation in criminal matters, including extradition and mutual legal assistance. The Northern Ireland delegation was led by the international criminal justice co-operation unit and included representatives from international co-operation teams in the PSNI, the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland and the Crown Solicitor’s Office. The meeting was also attended by An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief State Solicitor's Office. The meeting focused on practical matters of mutual interest and how we can work more closely together. Further, last November, senior officials from my Department met their Northern Ireland counterparts to discuss a range of matters, including criminal justice co-operation.
As the Minister knows, I have been concerned for some time about the delay in the administration of justice in Northern Ireland. People are waiting up to nine years for trial. They are our citizens. I think the Minister would agree that is not justice and that justice delayed is justice denied. As well as that, there are people spending inordinate time on remand and, when they are out on bail, they have very strict bail conditions. Has that issue been raised with the northern authorities by the Minister’s officials? Have they expressed concern about some prison conditions? I have raised this issue consistently. As the Minister knows, there are grave concerns. I understand some progress has been made on the issue of full body searching or strip searching, but even that is not working satisfactorily at the moment.
I will seek confirmation on the two issues the Deputy has raised concerning the recent engagement my colleagues had with their counterparts. I believe in all jurisdictions, including for Irish citizens in Northern Ireland, people having swift access to justice is an important part of any effective justice system.
I am personally engaging with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on his responsibility for security matters in Northern Ireland and mine for such matters in Ireland. I saw him last night informally at a Good Friday Agreement event but last formally spoke to him on 28 March, when he updated me on the decision to increase the terror threat level in Northern Ireland. I also spoke to him on the phone about the horrific attack on the life of DCI Caldwell and to offer our support and solidarity.
The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference was established under the Good Friday Agreement to promote bilateral co-operation on matters of mutual interest within the competency of the UK and Irish Governments. I attended the last such meeting with the Tánaiste in Farmleigh, Dublin on 19 January.
The Independent Reporting Commission, IRC, is an independent commission set up by the Irish and British Governments. In its most recent report, it spoke about possible elements of a group transition process. How are the discussions going on progressing the recommendations in that report on ending violence completely in Northern Ireland? Will the Minister give an update on that? It is an important issue. We all want to end violence but it is not a one-way street. It is a complex problem. We need to look at very good reports like the IRC report, which is a balanced report and is worth taking seriously.
The fifth report of the IRC was brought to Government in December. Overall, the IRC has not altered its view that the risks posed to society by the continuing existence of paramilitary groups and structures means paramilitarism remains a clear and present danger in Northern Ireland. Six new recommendations are contained in the fifth report, including a further recommendation on the paramilitary group transition to which the Deputy refers. The commission recommended that the Governments consider appointing an independent person to engage with the groups on transition. The remaining recommendations focus on matters particular to Northern Ireland, relating to joined-up collaborative working, organised crime legislation in Northern Ireland and the need for continued financial support for efforts to tackle paramilitarism.
The report and its recommendations on possible mechanisms to progress transition and disbandment of all remaining paramilitary groups was considered by the two Governments at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 19 January in Farmleigh, which I attended. It was agreed the recommendations would remain on the agenda of the intergovernmental conference and be discussed at ministerial level at its next meeting. Our officials were asked to consider the matter further in the intervening period. I and my Department are committed to continued constructive engagement with the commission on this matter and on its work in 2023.
