Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Act 2003

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SCHEDULE

Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Police Co-Operation, done at Belfast on 29 April 2002

The Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:

Having regard to the Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland done at Belfast on 10 April 1998 (“the British-Irish Agreement”) and to the Multi-Party Agreement reached at Belfast on 10 April 1998 annexed to the aforesaid Agreement;

Having regard also to the Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland done at Dublin on 8 March 1999 establishing a British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference;

Considering the report of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland published in September 1999 (“the Patten Report”);

Taking into account the progress made within the European Union on improving police co-operation pursuant to the provisions of Title VI of the Treaty on European Union;

Recalling the discussions that took place between the two Governments at Weston Park in July 2001, the measures announced on 1 August 2001 and the Updated Implementation Plan for the Patten Report published in August 2001;

Noting the establishment of the new Policing Board for Northern Ireland;

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

Eligibility to apply for posts

(1) (a) The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland shall introduce the necessary administrative and legislative measures to enable members of the Garda Síochána to apply for posts at ranks of above Inspector level in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

(b) When determining the eligibility of a member of the Garda Síochána to apply for such posts in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, appropriate recognition will be given to the rank, experience and qualifications that would be required for an equivalent rank in the Garda Síochána. An eligible applicant will be required to compete in a merit-based selection procedure with all other applicants.

(2) (a) The Government of Ireland shall introduce the necessary administrative and legislative measures to enable members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to apply for posts at ranks of above Inspector level in the Garda Síochána.

(b) When determining the eligibility of a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to apply for a post in the Garda Síochána, appropriate recognition will be given to the rank, experience and qualifications that would be required for an equivalent rank in the Police Service of Northern Ireland. An eligible applicant will be required to compete in a merit-based selection procedure with all other applicants.

Article 2

Secondment with Policing Powers

(1) (a) The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland shall introduce the necessary administrative and legislative measures to enable members of the Garda Síochána to be seconded to the Police Service of Northern Ireland for periods not exceeding three years.

(b) For the duration of such secondments, the member in question shall have the same powers, duties, rights and obligations, including as appropriate the wearing of the uniform, as an attested member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. For the duration of the secondment, the member shall not be subject to the direction and control of the Garda Commissioner and shall not exercise police powers within the jurisdiction of the Government of Ireland.

(2) (a) The Government of Ireland shall introduce the necessary administrative and legislative measures to enable members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to be seconded to the Garda Síochána for periods not exceeding three years.

(b) For the duration of such secondments, the member in question shall have the same powers, duties, rights and obligations, including as appropriate the wearing of the uniform, as an attested member of the Garda Síochána. For the duration of the secondment, the member shall not be subject to the direction and control of the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and shall not exercise police powers within Northern Ireland.

Article 3

Police Protocols

(1) The Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Síochána shall, as appropriate, draw up written Protocols between them addressing detailed aspects of co-operation between them, including in particular the issues referred to in Articles 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement.

(2) Such Protocols shall be signed by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána and the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland or persons authorised to do so on their behalf. Copies of all such Protocols shall be forwarded to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

(3) Such Protocols shall not constitute international agreements and shall not have binding effect on either Government.

Article 4

Annual Conference

An annual conference shall be convened between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Síochána. It shall be hosted by each service on an alternating basis and the conference topics shall be decided by mutual arrangement between the two services. The costs of the conference shall be met by the host service and each service shall meet their own travel costs in attending the conference.

Article 5

Personnel Exchanges

(1) A programme shall be introduced to facilitate members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland being placed in the Garda Síochána, and members of the Garda Síochána being placed in the Police Service of Northern Ireland for periods not exceeding one year.

(2) The purpose of these placements will be to further enhance links and to transfer experience and expertise, including in the area of training.

(3) Members of the Garda Síochána will, for the duration of their placement, report to and work with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. However the member placed will remain a full member of the Garda Síochána subject to the overall direction and control of the Garda Commissioner and shall not exercise any police powers in Northern Ireland.

(4) Members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland will, for the duration of their placement, report to and work with the Garda Síochána. However the member placed will remain a full member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland subject to the overall direction and control of the Chief Constable and shall not exercise any police powers in the jurisdiction of the Government of Ireland.

Article 6

Liaison

(1) Officers in both services shall be designated as liaison officers as considered appropriate to enhance co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

(2) The Commissioner of the Garda Síochána and the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland shall, in consultation with the respective Governments, explore other methods of enhancing liaison including the possible exchange of liaison officers.

Article 7

Training

The Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Síochána shall enhance structures for co-operation in the area of training.

Article 8

Disaster Planning

The Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Síochána shall, in consultation with other authorities responsible for the emergency services in both jurisdictions, work together in promoting improved joint planning.

Article 9

Joint Investigations

(1) The Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Síochána shall, as appropriate, make full use of existing arrangements for facilitating joint investigations and additional arrangements that are put in place in the context of European Union developments.

(2) An expert group shall be established by both Governments to review the existing arrangements and to make recommendations on legal and administrative measures that could be taken to facilitate further the operation of joint Police Service of Northern Ireland and Garda Síochána investigations.

Article 10

Communications

(1) The Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Síochána shall review communication links on an ongoing basis with a view to establishing and enhancing fast, effective and reliable communications.

(2) The Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Síochána shall, as appropriate, consult with one another in the context of the procurement and development of their communications and information technology systems, and shall take into account the desirability of achieving greater compatibility between their systems.

Article 11

Relationship with other international agreements

This Agreement shall not affect the rights and obligations of the Parties under other international agreements.

Article 12

Entry into force

Each Government shall notify the other in writing of the completion, so far as it is concerned, of the requirements for entry into force of the Agreement. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the receipt of the later of the two notifications.

In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto by the respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.

Done in two originals at Belfast on the Twenty-ninth day of April 2002.