Ministers Naomi Long MLA, and Heather Humphreys TD met to discuss ongoing North-South co-operation in policing and criminal justice issues, under the Intergovernmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters.
The meeting was held virtually due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Naomi Long said: “Cross-border co-operation on justice matters is vital to both of our jurisdictions. I welcome the opportunity to meet with Minister Humphreys and take forward discussions on a range of cross-border initiatives under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Agreement.
“Co-operating on these initiatives and sharing learning on issues such as offender mental health, hate crime, youth justice, forensic science and support for victims contributes greatly to ensuring we are doing everything we can to promote good practice in these areas.
“The Covid pandemic has also presented us with significant challenges across both justice systems. It is important that the innovative responses and learning which were generated in response to the pandemic are shared to our mutual benefit.”
Minister Humphreys said: “Cross Border co-operation in policing and criminal justice matters remains a priority and our meeting today displayed the high degree of dynamic co-operation between our criminal justice systems.
“I was encouraged to hear of the ongoing excellent work in sharing our experience and practices across a range of areas, including training to deal with high risk offenders, sharing information in relation to youth offending, ongoing work in relation to support for victims and tackling issues such as hate crime.
“During the meeting we also took the opportunity to discuss the impact of the Covid pandemic on our criminal justice systems and looked forward to how we can build on what has been achieved and learned during the pandemic, as we face the challenges ahead.”
At the meeting officers from Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Síochána updated the Ministers on the work of the cross border Joint Agency Task Force. They highlighted the continuing high level of co-operation and operational activity between the law enforcement agencies involved in tackling rural crime, drugs, financial crime, trafficking in human beings including children, excise fraud, and organised immigration crime.
Minister Long said: “Through the work of the Joint Agency Task Force it is clear that effective collaboration between governments and between law enforcement agencies is key to successfully disrupting and preventing organised criminality.
“The practical and strategic co-operation that has existed between our two police services has been greatly enhanced over recent years.
“It is clear that since its establishment the Joint Agency Task Force is adding significant value and producing results through closer cooperation and joint operational activity.”
Minister Humphreys said: “The work of the Joint Agency Task Force remains vital in terms of tackling organised crime. The benefits of the close co-operation of the PSNI and An Garda Síochana, along with other agencies, in tackling criminal activity across a spectrum of areas continues to be seen.
“It is vital that this close co-operation continues as we seek to tackle organised cross border criminality. I would like to express my appreciation to the agencies involved for their ongoing excellent work.”
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