2635. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the proposals to intensify cross-Border collaboration to deal with criminality with particular reference to the increasing prevalence of illegal drugs throughout the Island. [63965/26]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that there continues to be excellent ongoing cross-border engagement and co-operation with counterparts in Northern Ireland to tackle cross-border crime.

I am in regular contact with my counterparts in the Ministry for Justice in Northern Ireland and I met with Minister Long in May for a meeting under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters (IGA), in Armagh.

At the meeting, Minister Long and I formally finalised the 2023-2025 IGA work plan and agreed a new plan to run from January 2026 to January 2028. The new work plan provides for continued cooperation across a range of criminal justice, public protection, forensic science, victim support and youth justice issues.

This political level engagement is supported by close co-operation between my officials and officials in the Northern Ireland Department of Justice on a range of issues, between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and other agencies with their counterparts.

Significant engagement also took place at Ministerial, senior official and operational level at the Cross Border Police Conference on Organised and Serious Crime in Co. Cavan in March of this year.

This annual event, reinforces the aim of my Department to enhance understanding and cooperation between law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border, particularly in relation to cross border organised criminality and related issues. The objectives of the Conference include sharing experiences, identifying effective approaches and recommending actions to the Joint Agency Task Force aimed at enhancing cross-border working relationships to enhance our collective ability to tackle organised crime.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the specific matters discussed at the Conference are sensitive and operational in nature, however I can advise the Deputy that robust and fruitful discussions around tackling cross border criminality took place.

The 19th Cross Border Joint Agency Task Force report also highlights the ongoing commitment of law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border, which has been effective in disrupting their activities.

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau leads in tackling all forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs in Ireland. An Garda Síochána continues to implement an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy through Operation Tara. The focus of this operation is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national and local.

The long-standing excellent cooperation between An Garda Síochána and their counterparts in Northern Ireland has been key to tackling cross border crime and ensuring security on the Island. I know that the Garda authorities will continue to work effectively with their counterparts in tackling crime and promoting safety for all communities on this Island.