The Garda and the PSNI may be brought together in joint investigative teams to tackle organised crime across the island, it emerged today.
Northern Ireland Security Minister Ms Jane Kennedy said the British and Irish governments were considering the plan in a bid to combat gangs who operate up and down the country.
Ms Kennedy said the authorities needed to foster greater flexibility and co-operation to combat the growing problems posed by criminals who do not respect borders.
"The Police Service of Northern Ireland and Garda Síochána have always worked well together and previously that co-operation would have grown out of the need to defeat terrorism," she said. "But now increasingly we're seeing that energy and focus being turned upon organised criminals who operate on both sides of the Border and exploit that land Border.
"We are looking at the idea of joint investigative teams that would bring Garda and PSNI officers together, while respecting the independence of both organisations, so that if they see a criminal operation that is operating freely on both sides of the border, it makes sense that a joint investigation into that would be more effective."
Ms Kennedy said the plans would not dilute the independence of the police forces, but greater co-operation would benefit all.
"In the end it shouldn't be a competition between the two agencies as to who can get these criminals," she said. "The objective of both agencies and both governments is to knock this organisation out as a criminal operation."
PA