- · New policing strategy to strengthen cross border policing.
- · Targeting cross border organised crime threat in partnership.
- · IGA discussions on cooperation in criminal justice matters include
- implications of the UK exit from the EU.
Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald TD and Justice Minister Claire Sugden MLA have
welcomed the publication of a new strategy which aims to further enhance
co-operation between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána.
The Ministers were speaking at the annual Cross Border Organised Crime
Seminar which brings law enforcement agencies north and south together to
learn from successes and to consider the new challenges emerging.
Developments in the past year include the establishment of the cross
jurisdictional Joint Agency Task Force following the Fresh Start Agreement.
The Cross Border Policing Strategy which was launched at the conference by
Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan and PSNI Chief Constable George
Hamilton will act as the over-arching Delivery Strategy for the work of the
Task Force.
Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald said: “North-South cooperation in policing and
criminal justice is a priority for the Irish Government. The levels of
cooperation between the law enforcement agencies in both jurisdictions are
already outstanding, but will continue to be further enhanced. We
experience the same tasks in both parts of the island with regard to
combating crime, managing offenders and supporting victims, and it is
entirely logical for us to collaborate on developing solutions to address
our common challenges.”
“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.”
Minister Sugden said: “Cross Border co-operation is clearly vital, and I
am very grateful to the PSNI and An Garda Síochána for their combined
efforts in tackling criminal activity in both jurisdictions. This joint
working has undoubtedly saved lives, prevented crime and enabled the
detection of criminals who would seek to bring misery to communities on
both sides of the border.
“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.”
Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Noirín O’Sullivan said: “Today is
another demonstration of the excellent co-operation between An Garda
Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland; co-operation that has
produced significant results on both sides of the border.
Every day, our organisations work together to tackle criminality, placing a
strong emphasis on disrupting and tackling the activity of organised crime
gangs working along the border.
The launch of the Cross Border Policing Strategy and the work to date of
the Joint Agency Task Force shows the value of the joined-up thinking
needed in this rapidly changing policing and security environment.
Both, An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland have
extensive and rich experience and knowledge and by combining that expertise
and know-how along with our other partner agencies we will make our
services stronger, which in turn will help to keep communities safe in all
parts of this island”
Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, George Hamilton
said: “The foundation for success in joint police activity has been, and
will continue to be, the strength and depth of the trust and co-operation
between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Sióchána at all
levels. This updated framework will provide a valuable platform for both
services to embark on further joint activity on issues which affect our
communities such as rural policing and intelligence sharing.”
In advance of the conference Minister Sugden and the Tánaiste met under the
auspices of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Co-operation on
Criminal Justice Matters where they discussed a range of issues of mutual
interest. In addition to an update from the Joint Agency Task Force which
is required on a bi-annual basis under the terms of the Fresh Start
Agreement, the Ministers also discussed the 2016/17 Work Programme and the
justice implications of the UK exit from the EU.
Notes to editors:
· The Joint Agency Task Force was one of the important commitments
under the 'Fresh Start' Agreement to tackle cross-border organised
crime, including that linked to paramilitarism. The Joint Agency
Task Force is led by the police and revenue services and brings
together the relevant law enforcement agencies to better co-ordinate
strategic and operational actions against cross-border organised
crime. It involves senior officers from An Garda Síochána, the PSNI,
the Revenue Commissioners and HM Revenue and Customs; it also
includes the Criminal Assets Bureau and UK National Crime Agency as
well as other interested law enforcement services (such as
environmental protection agencies and immigration services). The
Joint Agency Task Force has been operational and active since the
start of this year and the first six-monthly report on its work was
presented to Justice Ministers at their meeting on 4 July 2106.
· This is the fourteenth annual Cross Border Seminar on Organised
Crime. The Seminar is organised jointly by the Department of Justice
and Equality and the Department of Justice Northern Ireland. The
conference brings together senior officers from An Garda Síochána,
the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the National Crime Agency,
the Revenue Commissioners, HM Revenue and Customs, and Government
Departments from both jurisdictions.
· Delegates attended presentations and workshops relating to organised
crime activity including, fuel fraud, rural crime, drugs and cyber
enabled Financial Crime amongst other matters.
· The 2015 Seminar was held at the Clarion Hotel, Sligo.
· The second edition of the Cross Border Policing Strategy will be
launched at the Cross Border Organised Crime Seminar. The joint
strategy, drafted and agreed by the Garda and PSNI authorities,
covers the full range of policing areas including Operations; Rural
Policing; Community Relations; Intelligence Sharing; ICT; Service
Improvement; and Emergency Planning.
· The 7th biennial Cross Border Organised Crime Threat Assessment is
jointly produced by An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of
Northern Ireland (PSNI). The Assessment provides an insight into
organised criminal activity on both sides of the border together with
an assessment of the cross border nature of such criminality. The
Assessment highlights current challenges and responses as well as
emerging trends and challenges