Ray Burke
Question:6 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made, or will make, a submission to the Northern Ireland police authorities as part of the consultation process on future policing. [9331/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Policy.
The question of policing falls within the remit of Article 7 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement which, inter alia, records the agreement of the two Governments that there is a need for a programme of special measures in Northern Ireland to improve relations between the security forces and the community. I and my predecessors have availed fully of the Anglo-Irish machinery to put forward views on policing issues, both general and specific.
In the post-ceasefire situation, growing attention is being paid to the future of policing in Northern Ireland and discussions on the subject are taking place in various fora, including the consultations initiated by the Police Authority. I believe that the machinery established under the Anglo-Irish Agreement constitutes the most appropriate channel for communicating the views of the Government on this matter. I had a useful discussion about these matters with the Secretary of State at the most recent meeting of the conference on 28 April, and we agreed that we will continue to keep developments in this area under close review.
In considering possible future arrangements, it is relevant to note, as provided in paragraph 44 of the Joint Framework Document, that issues of law and order in Northern Ireland are closely interwined with the issues of political agreement and consensus. Within that context, the Governmment's approach to the future of policing in Northern Ireland is based on the reality that the Nationalist community must be convinced that policing structures in Northern Ireland are accountable and independent from partisan political control, responsive to the policing needs of all sections of the community, reflective of the communities they serve and that they give equal esteem to the Nationalist identity.
Arising from the Tánaiste's comprehensive reply, for which I thank him, does he agree that notwithstanding the service given by many brave and conscientious police officers in the RUC, reform of policing generally in the North is required if the police are to have the confidence of the entire community, not just in the more well-known Nationalist areas in Belfast, Derry and South Armagh but right across the nationalist community? Will the Tánaiste agree that major surgery, not just reform, is required?
For a police service to secure and enjoy cross-community support it must be accountable, free from partisan political control and it must reflect, both in its composition and ethos, the communities it serves. Those are the targets we should be setting out to achieve in relation to the reform of the RUC and the new police structures in Northern Ireland. It is very important — and much work must be done in this respect — to gain the confidence of the nationalist community in regard to the RUC. It is important also that we examine this in an open manner and I believe the authorities wish to do that.
The Tánaiste referred to his discussions at the Anglo-Irish Conference in relation to bringing to the attention of the British representatives the deficiencies in the RUC. Has he put forward specific suggestions on behalf of the Government as to how reform should be undertaken and the form civilian policing would take in the post-ceasefire situation in the North?
The Deputy is well aware that the question of policing probably has been discussed at most if not all Anglo-Irish Conferences since 1986. There is an ongoing widespread debate here, within Northern Ireland and in the UK in relation to the various reforms which are necessary. I believe, and it is the view of the Government, that the most appropriate forum for us to make our views known is through the Anglo-Irish Agreement and the Anglo-Irish Conference and that is what we intend to do. At various times, different areas of policing have been raised and our concern would be to make our views known in the manner which is most effective. I believe we are achieving that throughout the Anglo-Irish Conference.