Fitzgerald insists Irish criminals must not benefit from Brexit

Fitzgerald insists Irish criminals must not benefit from Brexit

No criminals in Ireland will benefit from the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has insisted after a meeting with Michel Barnier, the chief negotiator for the European Commission in relation to the UK exiting the EU.

Ms Fitzgerald, in her capacity as Tánaiste, discussed Irish priorities such as Northern Ireland, the peace process and the Common Travel Area.

However, she also raised justice-specific issues and stressed that in terms of policing and security, Ireland would like to see the UK remain as close as is possible to the EU - including arrangements such as the European Arrest Warrant, which she said keeps all Europeans safer.

After the meeting, Ms Fitzgerald said: “The EU has provided an extensive infrastructure for close cooperation with regard to law enforcement. A significant amount of information is currently being transferred across the EU in relation to preventing terrorism and serious organised crime. That information exchange as well as policing and judicial cooperation must continue.

“Of course we work closely with the UK in relation to a range of criminal justice, policing, security and immigration matters. This cooperation takes place within a framework of domestic, bilateral, and EU laws. I am determined that no criminal or criminal organisation here benefits from the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union.”

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