Ireland has signed a new pact with Malta to work more closely together in tackling criminals on both islands.
The bilateral agreement will allow gardaí and Maltese police to exchange information on terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering.
"The bilateral deal will provide both countries with high level exchange of information between police forces, revenue investigators and crime agencies," said Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern.
The agreement must be approved by the Dáil and Seanad before it comes into force.
"The sealing of the Maltese deal is yet another bilateral agreement Ireland has entered into which bolsters the international fight against crime, drug trafficking, money laundering and terrorism," added Mr Ahern.
"Crime respects no national borders and that is why we must continue to exchange intelligence and information to crackdown on crime lords."
Mr Ahern signed the pact with Maltese justice minister, Carmelo Bonnici.
The minister said Ireland and Malta share some of the problems faced by island nations with limited resources.
"We both have extensive coastlines which can and are targeted by drugs gangs as entry points into Europe," he explained.
"But much of what is successful in fighting drugs crime stems from exchanging intelligence exchange."
Last year drugs seizures in Ireland amounted to €200 million, an increase on the €167.5 million in 2007.
The agreement also provides for co-operation by Ireland and Malta in training initiatives to share expertise in the areas of prevention, detection and investigation of criminal activities.
"This also extends to the possible secondment or exchange of law enforcement personnel," said the minister.
PA