On a visit to London, Minister for Justice Simon Harris met with the UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman MP at the Home Office and met with senior officials at Scotland Yard, headquarters of the Metropolitan Police.

The Minister and the Home Secretary discussed the ongoing co-operation between Ireland and the United Kingdom on criminal justice and security issues, mutual challenges including combatting violence domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

They also reaffirmed the importance of the ongoing excellent co-operation between Irish Border Management and the UK’s Border Force in maintaining the Common Travel Area.

Speaking in London about his meeting with the Home Secretary, Minister Harris said, “the Home Secretary and I today reaffirmed the importance of the Common Travel Area as a very important aspect of the continuing strong links between the UK and Ireland.”

“I welcome the positive considerations of Irish concerns relating to the impact of the ETA scheme for Irish residents and the Home Office’s recent agreement to an exemption for legal Irish residents. This agreement highlights the importance of the ongoing cooperation between my department and the Home Office, through long standing arrangements that support the Common Travel Area.”

The Minister’s visit to Scotland Yard provided an opportunity to discuss the Metropolitan Police’s use of modern policing technology.

Speaking after that visit, the Minister said, “as a government we are committed to building stronger, safer communities and ensuring An Garda Síochána is a modern, world class policing service which has the best equipment for its members. Our visit to Scotland Yard afforded us with a useful opportunity to discuss the Met’s experience of utilising modern policing equipment.”