Minister Sugden, Chief Constable, Commissioner, delegates, I am privileged
to be here with each of you today.
The Cross Border Seminar on Organised Crime is a significant occasion in
our shared calendar. The Seminar reflects our determination to do all in
our power to address organised crime activity across the Island. It is also
a reflection of the closeness of our institutions and bodies in working
together to support and protect our communities as they go about their
daily lives.
I would like to express my deep appreciation for the work undertaken by all
of the agencies and organisations represented here today. Your commitment
and the partnerships that you have established, and nurtured over the
years, are at the heart of our joint response to organised criminality.
Since we last met the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union.
The Common Travel Area is a central support to the close relationships on
this island and, indeed, with Britain with long-established and clear
benefits that are enjoyed by communities on both sides of the Border and
beyond. Trade, business, tourism, education – people going about their
normal daily lives are all served greatly by the freedom of movement
between our jurisdictions.
I believe that it is an arrangement that is valued equally, North and
South, and it will be a priority for both administrations to retain its
benefits in the years to come in the context of a new relationship between
the EU and the UK.
The Common Travel Area has also significantly enabled our co-operation in
tackling crime and in improving the security of the two islands.
The open Border as we know it today is a prized result of, and one of the
great symbols of, the success of the Peace Process. The improved security
situation on this island – due in no small part to the continued efforts of
the Gardaí and the PSNI – is a strong feature of North South co-operation
that we are determined will be undiminished by any future changes in the
UK’s position in the EU.
There will be those who seek to exploit the advantages of a Common Travel
Area and the challenges in policing cross border multi-jurisdictional
criminal activities are acknowledged in the Assessment.
But I want to be explicitly clear on one thing here today. We will not
allow criminals or paramilitaries to benefit from Brexit.
The result of the referendum cannot and will not in any way undermine or
diminish the co-operation between our police forces and authorities.
If the Paramilitary groups who seek to thwart the wishes of the vast
majority of the people on this island - paramilitary groups who
parasitically feed off organised crime and fear - think they will somehow
benefit from outcome of the referendum, they can forget it.
My message is simple.
We will stop you. And we will defeat you.
The importance of maintaining public safety and protecting our citizens
from the harm and danger of Organised Crime Gangs is critical and
heightened
The organised crime threat that we have witnessed in our capital city in
recent times has been unprecedented. The international impact of this
activity has brought into sharp focus the real value of the international
communities and of the partnerships that we develop across jurisdictions.
Since we last met in Sligo we have further developed and strengthened that
response. The Joint Agency Task Force established under the 'Fresh Start'
Agreement was one of the important commitments to tackle cross-border
organised crime, including that linked to paramilitarism.
The Task Force has been operational and active since the beginning of this
year and it has made a strong start in its work. I commend those involved
in establishing the Task Force and rolling out its work in respect of the
significant priority areas of cross-border crime that have been the subject
of many joint operations. The areas of focus are of particular value and
of particular importance to border communities.
For example, one of the important streams of work has been in relation to
tackling rural crime. Rural communities can feel isolated and vulnerable.
There is no doubt that they fall prey to gangs engaged in burglary and the
theft of high value farm machinery. The Task Force has had a particular
focus on this area of crime and ran a number of successful operations that
resulted in the seizure of stolen plant and other items and arrests. The
Task Force also engaged in information campaigns and engagement with local
rural communities to provide information and crime prevention advice.
Earlier today, we launched the latest Cross Border Policing Strategy 2016.
This joint Strategy which covers a range of policing areas including
Operations, Rural Policing, Community Relations, Intelligence Sharing and
Emergency Planning, recognises the importance of interagency co-operation.
At this years seminar we also see the publication of the 7th Cross Border
Organised Crime Threat Assessment. The Assessment highlights current
challenges and responses as well as emerging trends and challenges.
In closing, I would like to express my appreciation for all the vital work
you are doing. I would like to thank the Planning Group for the Seminar
which includes representatives from the Department of Justice Northern
Ireland, An Garda Síochána, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the
Revenue Commissioners, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and
representatives from the Department of Justice and Equality for all their
efforts in planning and organising this Seminar.