Brexit: Inquiry to look at cross-border safety co-operation

An inquiry has been launched to look at cross-border co-operation on policing, safety and prison justice between the UK and Eire post-Brexit.

The NI Affairs Committee inquiry will study the implications of Brexit for cross-border prison exercise.

It would additionally discover alternate options to current EU agreements and establish limitations to co-operation from January 2021.

The announcement comes as the newest EU-UK commerce negotiations start.

When the Brexit transition interval ends on 31 December, the UK will lose entry to the EU agreements and processes which have underpinned cross-border cooperation for years.

Agreements, comparable to these permitting use of the European Arrest Warrant and entry to EU knowledge and information-sharing, meant criminals might be sought throughout jurisdictions and dropped at justice.

‘Challenges posed’

Chair of the Northern Eire Affairs Committee Simon Hoare stated an inquiry was “important” to look at replacements to such agreements together with the UK’s entry to providers such because the European Prison Data Data System.

“Nobody needs to see a rise in cross-border prison exercise because of Brexit,” stated Mr Hoare.

“Permitting this to occur would hurt the individuals of Northern Eire, of the Republic of Eire and of the entire of the UK.

“Cross-border co-operation on policing, safety and prison justice has closely relied for years on agreements and preparations made on the EU stage.”

He stated the inquiry “will search to establish the challenges posed by the potential lack of entry to such preparations”.

Mr Hoare stated “co-operation and communication” had been key to bringing criminals to justice.

“Criminals should not be capable of discover refuge in intelligence and policing blackspots brought on by jurisdictions not talking to one another,” he added.

Written submissions will be made till 2 October.