Ahern Stresses Co-operation In Tackling Cross-Border Crime

Following the meeting, Minister Ahern said that both Governments were determined to continue to work together on issues of mutual interest.

Minister Ahern stated: "We are absolutely united in our commitment to tackling any attempts by criminal elements to exploit the border for nefarious purposes.  Co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI has never operated at a higher level, or with such effectiveness."

Minister Goggins agreed, saying, "These meetings provide an opportunity for sharing information and advancing practical co-operation across a range of criminal justice areas. In particular co-operation between the Police and Probation Service in relation to sex offenders is helping to ensure that the right Public Protection arrangements are in place. Today, we also discussed electronic monitoring of offenders and the new sentencing framework in Northern Ireland."

During the meeting, the two Ministers were briefed about the benefits accruing to both jurisdictions through exchange of information and best practice in such areas as youth justice, victim support and forensic science.

Both Ministers welcomed the continuing exchange of information by the two police forces in respect of sex offenders, and ongoing moves to further harmonise sex offender notification legislation throughout Ireland and Britain.