Vol. 542 No. 2
132 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress made regarding the establishment of new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland; if he will urge all sections of society in Northern Ireland to support the reforms and apply for membership of the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23750/01]
Considerable progress was made during the course of discussions at Weston Park in July on the outstanding areas requiring implementation under the Good Friday Agreement, including policing. These discussions led to agreement between the two Governments on a package of proposals which were then presented to the parties on 1 August.
The proposals on policing included provision for a review by the independent Oversight Commissioner of all the new policing arrangements, as well as a commitment by the British Government to change the current legislation where this is necessary. Furthermore, a revised implementation plan was published on 17 August which set out in greater detail the British Government's intentions in relation to policing.
It is the considered judgment of the Government that, when fully implemented, the 1 August proposals, the revised implementation plan, the Oversight Commissioner's Review and the British Government's commitment to introduce new legislation will deliver the spirit and substance of the Patten Report. The basis now exists for realising the new beginning in policing envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement.
It was in this context that the Government urged all parties to give positive consideration to nominating members to the Policing Board.
The SDLP's decision to support the new policing arrangements and to nominate to the new policing board was a significant and very positive development. The Government also welcomed the decisions of the two main unionist parties to nominate members to the board. We hope that, in time, Sinn Féin will find it possible to participate in the new policing structures.
