Ministers review cross-border deal on sex offenders

A new cross-border agreement to share information on sex offenders will be scrutinised today.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern will travel to Belfast to review the progress and cooperation between security services North and South with the North's Security Minister Paul Goggins.

In particular the pair will focus on a deal – signed last month by the Gardaí and the PSNI – to pass knowledge between jurisdictions in relation to the investigation of sexual offences and the monitoring of convicted offenders.

A spokesman for Mr Ahern said the minister was anxious to ensure that information about those who moved between the North and South would be passed on swiftly to either the Gardaí and PSNI.

“The new working relationship between the PSNI and Gardaí on sex offenders has so far being very successful and both ministers will be examining its working operations and where additional elements of cooperation can be put in place if required,” he said.

“They will also look to ensure there is harmonisation between both jurisdictions in relation to sex offenders signing on to both PSNI and garda stations.

“Other issues to be discussed include cooperation in relation to victim support, forensic science and youth justice.”