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Minister Flanagan and Minister Long discuss importance of close cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI to support COVID-19 public health measures north and south
This evening the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD and the Northern Ireland Justice Minister, Naomi Long held a teleconference to discuss the close cooperation in place between police forces on both sides of the border in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking after the teleconference, Minister Flanagan said:
Minister Long and I had a valuable exchange of views on the support our respective police forces are providing to the public health authorities as we try to suppress the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.
We noted the high levels of public compliance with the health restrictions in place and the importance of reinforcing the rationale for the measures as we enter a Bank Holiday weekend on this side of the border.
Commissioner Drew Harris briefed me today on the plans for the extensive operations that will take place over the Bank Holiday weekend. He is also in regular contact with the Chief Constable of the PSNI, Simon Byrne
Minister Long said:
This is an unprecedented health crisis and we all must play our part in preventing the spread of COVID-19 from person to person, from household to household and from place to place.
We are still very much in the midst of the pandemic and we simply cannot afford to allow complacency to creep in. While formal enforcement powers of the health protection measures have been made available to policing, the vast majority of people are doing the right thing and I have been impressed by how the PSNI and AGS have worked closely together to keep people safe.
The ‘stay at home’ message is just as crucial now as it was on day one of this crisis. If you are getting into your car, ask yourself if your reason for doing so is both essential and reasonable.
None of this is easy but it is so important if we are to continue to flatten the curve and save lives.
The Ministers also discussed the work underway to tackle domestic violence on both sides of the border. A “See the Signs” campaign is underway in Northern Ireland while a “Still Here” campaign reaching out to victims is underway south of the border.