Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, T.D.
and the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, Claire Sugden, MLA, met in
Dublin today.
The Ministers met to discuss ongoing North-South co-operation across the
range of co-operation in policing and criminal justice matters under the
Intergovernmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters.
The Ministers received the latest report from the Joint Agency Task Force,
which details the activity undertaken by the new Task Force structure since
its launch on 21 December 2015 last.
The Ministers also took the opportunity to consider further the
implications of the UK’s decision to leave the EU on North South policing
and criminal justice co-operation.
The Tánaiste expressed her support for the close working relationship
between all aspects of the criminal justice systems North and South: “There
is a high degree of dynamic co-operation at all levels between our criminal
justice systems. Minister Sugden and I had a very productive discussion on
actions to address the challenges we face in combating crime, managing
offenders and supporting victims. These are shared challenges and we will
continue to co-operate in coming up with positive actions to keeping
communities safe.”
Minister Sugden emphasised the high value that she places on the
collaborative work of the various Criminal Justice Organisations: "The
Intergovernmental Agreement Project Advisory Groups continue to make
important progress on all aspects of their work. The Tánaiste and I are
encouraged by their shared interest in Problem Solving Justice and the
focus on addressing the wider societal issues that can lead to offending
behaviour. We look forward to seeing the results of this work."
The two Ministers received the second report of the Joint Agency Task
Force: “We commend the work of the Joint Agency Task Force in bringing a
strategic focus to bear on the priorities that we had identified. The law
enforcement agencies in both jurisdictions are delivering targeted
operations on criminal activities that have a serious impact on lives and
in communities – rural crime, drugs, smuggling, child sexual exploitation
and human trafficking. We are committed to continue building that
co-operation into the future”.
The two Ministers also considered issues relating to the decision of the UK
to leave the EU: “We also had a very useful discussion on the possible
implications of the UK’s exit from the EU and we have identified a range of
shared priorities in the area of justice and policing co-operation that are
supported by EU measures, including the European Arrest Warrant, mutual
legal assistance, civil justice measures and information-sharing. We will
continue to work together to ensure that our close co-operation in these
areas can be maintained into the future.”
ENDS
Note to Editors:
1. The Intergovernmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice
Matters provides a framework for increasing and enhancing
co-operation on criminal justice matters. Within the framework of the
Agreement, the two Ministers oversee co-operation across the range of
areas in the criminal justice field.
2. The development and enhancement of co-operation under the Agreement
is taken forward by a number of Project Advisory Groups covering the
areas of public protection, forensic science, youth justice, victims’
issues and criminal justice and social diversity issues.
3. The Joint Agency Task Force established under the Fresh Start
Agreement is led by the police and revenue services and brings
together the relevant law enforcement agencies from both
jurisdictions 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
the UK’s National Crime Agency as well as other interested law
enforcement services (such as environmental protection agencies and
immigration services).