Vol. 449 No. 6
42 Ms O'Donnell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his Department's input in relation to a review of policing in Northern Ireland in the context of the ongoing ceasefire; and whether there is a need for a review of the role of the RUC in Northern Ireland. [2818/95]
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 discuss policing issues, both general and specific. I shall continue to avail fully of the Anglo-Irish machinery in this regard.
In the post-ceasefire situation, a widespread debate has grown up in Northern Ireland on policing in general and the role and structures of the RUC in particular.In addition to our own exchanges with the British Government on policing, I have been following this debate closely. In considering possible future arrangements, it is relevant to note, as provided in paragraph 44 of the Framework Document, that issues of law and order in Northern Ireland are closely intertwined with the issues of political agreement and consensus. Within that context, the Government's approach to the future of policing in Northern Ireland will take 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, reflective of the communities they serve and that give equal esteem to the Nationalist identity.
