Source · Select Committees · Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Paragraph: 29
Cross-border arrangements providing for effective security co-operation across the Common Travel Area are to the...
Recommendation
Cross-border arrangements providing for effective security co-operation across the Common Travel Area are to the mutual benefit of all on these islands. The importance of bodies and fora such as the Joint Agency Task Force, the Annual Cross-Border Conference on Organised Crime, the Common Travel Area Forum and where appropriate the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference cannot be overestimated in their use in supporting and developing co-operation between law enforcement on both sides of the border countering cross-border criminality and for security co-operation (and other issues) between the UK and Ireland more widely. The Government and the Irish Government must agree to convene the British- Irish Intergovernmental Conference (either virtually or physically) as soon as possible, and no later than the end of June 2021, to discuss security co-operation, as part of wider ongoing efforts to minimise the opportunities for organised crime gangs to exploit the Common Travel Area. The Government and the Irish Government should build on established practice for supporting cross-border co-operation to minimise the opportunities for organised crime gangs. Steps must be intelligence-led and have a clear operational purpose. The Government should also work proactively with the Executive to ensure that the PSNI and the National Crime Agency are fully equipped to identify and address specific organised crime threats.
Paragraph Reference:
29
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We have been cooperating with EU Member States via the new arrangements since 1 January, and the indications so far are that, in general, the new arrangements are working well in practice. We are working closely with domestic operational partners and counterparts in the EU, including Ireland, to monitor the operation of the new arrangements and will take steps to address any issues should they arise. The Government is committed to working together with European partners to counter the threats we all face, within Europe and beyond and will continue to build on the strong existing relationships with our colleagues in Ireland in tackling crime and maintaining security and an effective criminal justice system.