Peter Barry
Ceist:53 Mr. Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals, if any, he has put forward for the composition of the Police Authority in Northern Ireland.
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Police Authority.
At the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference of 28 January 1994, I discussed with Sir Patrick Mayhew the question of the reform of policing structures in Northern Ireland in the context of the debate on possible changes to these structures which has been initiated by the British Government. While it would not be appropriate for me to go into detail about the subject matter of the discussions at the Conference, I can confirm to the Deputy that the question of the role and composition of the Police Authority is a matter in which I am taking a close and continuing interest within the framework of the Intergovernmental Conference.
The Government's approach to this question takes full account of the reality that, ultimately, the nationalist community must be convinced that policing structures in Northern Ireland are open, independent from partisan political control, fully accountable, responsive to the policing needs of all sections of the community and that they give equal esteem to the nationalist identity. In this regard, I have noted with interest the British Government's recently published discussion document containing proposals for new structures in this area and I look forward to discussing these matters further within the Anglo-Irish Conference framework.