D’Arcy supports cross-border taskforce to tackle crime

Fine Gael Senator for Louth/Meath East, Jim D’Arcy has welcomed the call by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan for a taskforce on cross-border crime to be established as part of any new northern agreement.
“Minister Flanagan, who is a key member of the talks team, has said that the talks must produce an outcome that further deepens north/south co-operation in tackling problems such as large-scale smuggling operations, fuel-laundering, drug-dealing and extortion.
“This new taskforce would further develop the relationship between An Gardaí Síochána, the PSNI, the Revenue Commissioners, HM Revenue and Customs, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the UK National Crime Agency and respective Justice Ministers.
“This taskforce concept has been advocated previously by a committee of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, chaired by Senator Paul Coghlan, in its comprehensive report on cross-border crime.
“It is time to put a stop to the gallop of these criminals who think they are beyond the law.
“I am told locally that the increased security measures undertaken in the wake of the heinous murder of Garda Tony Golden are already returning dividends, not alone in relation to cross-border crime, but also in tracking the movements of criminals who may be using the motorway to access rural areas.
“Minister Charlie Flanagan is right on the money in his suggestion to establish a taskforce and I hope he gets the full support of all involved for his proposal.”