HL Deb 08 January 2002 vol 630 c105WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 5 December (WA 139), whether it is appropriate to co-operate with the Government of the Republic of Ireland on policing when the Garda Síochána is required to "render good and true service and obedience to the constitution and government of the Republic". [HL1972]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Yes. The Government believe that it is entirely appropriate to work with the Irish Government to take forward the Patten recommendations concerning north/south cooperation on policing matters. Indeed, a recent joint operation between law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border resulted in 10 arrests, with nine people charged for a variety of offences linked to smuggling and laundering of fuel, and there have also been a number of very significant seizures of illegal cigarettes on both sides of the border.