Vol. 533 No. 2
52 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made to address the issues of concern regarding the Northern Ireland police Bill; if he has raised such issues with the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7838/01]
The Government had detailed discussions with the British Government and the parties on the Policing (Northern Ireland) Bill as it progressed through its various parliamentary stages. In the course of the legislative process, substantial improvements were made to the Bill which passed into law on 23 November last. However, the parties continued to have concerns about aspects of the new Police Act, 2000, and the draft revised implementation plan.
In the intervening months, the Government has worked closely and constructively with the British Government and the parties to resolve the outstanding issues in relation to policing. Policing was also among a range of issues discussed at the meeting between the parties and the two Governments at Hillsborough on 8 March last.
As a result of these discussions, significant progress has been made. However, concerns that the British legislation and plans for implementation do not fully reflect the letter and spirit of the Patten report remain. These concerns need to be satisfactorily addressed if a police service acceptable to all sides of the community in Northern Ireland is to be established, and if young people from all sides of the community are to feel able to join the new police service of Northern Ireland.
We have made considerable headway, but more remains to be done. The Governments and parties will continue to address all the outstanding issues with a view to reaching agreement in June.
