§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have been held between his Department and the Police Service of Northern Ireland regarding immigration irregularities in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) south Belfast. [158610]
§ Mr. BrowneUK Immigration Service (UKIS) has an office in Belfast and there is regular contact between the Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) and UKIS staff. At operational level, the police refer details of potential immigration offenders, and UKIS staff work with them to investigate illegal working allegations and other similar issues. At a more strategic level there is a local Immigration Organised Crime group, chaired by PSNI, with delegates from UKIS, the police and the Garda National Immigration Bureau, Dublin, which meets regularly to discuss matters relating to immigration crime in Northern Ireland (including cross border issues).
Apart from routine day-to-day contact in respect of immigration offenders throughout Northern Ireland, South Belfast has not been the subject of any special discussions in respect of immigration irregularities.