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Minister Flanagan meets Home Secretary, Justice Secretary & Northern Ireland Secretary on crime, security & immigration issues

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, today (Wednesday) held a meeting with the UK Home Secretary, Amber Rudd MP, Justice Secretary, David Lidington and Northern Ireland Secretary, James Brokenshire, in London today.

They discussed the ongoing close co-operation between Ireland and the UK on criminal and civil justice, immigration and security issues, as well as the evolving threats from organised crime and terrorism. They further reaffirmed the commitment of both Governments towards maintaining the Common Travel Area.

Speaking in London, the Minister said:

“Continuing the excellent co-operation on criminal justice, security and immigration issues is a key priority for Ireland and the UK will remain a close and valued partner in this regard. I was pleased to meet three UK Cabinet members today for an exchange of views. We reiterated our strong shared determination to work to ensure that the UK's planned departure from the European Union will not weaken our efforts to combat shared security threats and will provide no benefit to criminals.

“Ireland and the UK enjoy excellent bilateral cooperation, but also benefit greatly from the European Arrest Warrant and other EU measures that support the fight against crime and terrorism. We discussed and agreed the need for that cooperation to continue, and I stressed the importance of transitional or interim arrangements, so as to allow sufficient time to tease out the complex issues which will require examination in reaching a future partnership agreement.

“We all also reaffirmed our commitment to maintaining the Common Travel Area. We discussed its great importance to the people of Ireland and the UK and I emphasised in particular how vital it is in the context of Northern Ireland. I also welcomed the progress which is being made on the Common Travel Area in the course of the Article 50 negotiations.”