Clause 82 - Foreign surveillance operations
Crime (International Co-operation) Bill [Lords]
9:45 am
Ms Caroline Flint (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (reducing organised and international crime, anti drugs co-ordination and international and European issues), Home Office; Don Valley, Labour)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that because it gives me the opportunity to set out the position. As Irish Republic has chosen not to opt in to article 40 of Schengen, these arrangements will not apply across the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. However, in April 2002, the UK and Ireland signed an intergovernmental agreement on policing co-operation, and that provides a far more structured relationship between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Siochana to build on the good co-operation that already exists.
Given the long-standing security situation in Northern Ireland, there are clearly special sensibilities to be considered. The PSNI has gained a wealth of experience in delivering policing in that environment. Foreign officers will not be able to continue surveillance into Northern Ireland, but that does not mean that operations will be lost as the PSNI has a capability to take over its surveillance as appropriate.