Vol. 526 No. 6
141 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made with the research programme recommended in the Patten report and as referred to in response to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 15 June 2000; the time schedule involved; if the Government can secure agreement from the British authorities to suspend the use of plastic baton rounds pending the outcome of the research programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26446/00]
The Government shares the widespread concerns about deaths and serious injuries which have resulted from the use of plastic baton rounds in Northern Ireland, and welcomed the recommendation in the report of the Patten Commission that a research programme be conducted to find ‘acceptable, effective and less potentially lethal alternatives' to PBRs. The Government has consistently urged the need for stricter controls and maximum restraint to curtail the use of these bullets to the greatest possible extent with a view ultimately to their abolition.
We acknowledge that the use of plastic bullets has decreased in the recent past – in 1999, 112 plastic bullets were fired, and to date, 22 plastic bullets have been fired this year.
Patten also recommended that the use of PBRs should be subject to the same procedures of deployment, use and reporting as the rest of the UK. Further, their use should be confined to the smallest number of specially trained officers and should be justified in a report to the Policing Board, copied to the Police Ombudsman. Under the Police (NI) Act, the Secretary of State may issue guidelines on the use of public order equipment by officers, and in doing so, he is required to consult the board, the Chief Constable, the Ombudsman and the Police Association, and to publish the guidance issued.
We look forward to a speedy conclusion of the research programme which began during the summer, and we will consider its findings when they become known.
142 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on recent statements by former members to the Patten Commission regarding the implementation of the Patten report on policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26447/00]
The Government has noted the recent comments of former members of the Patten Commission, Professor Clifford Shearing and Senator Maurice Hayes. The political parties have also made their views known in recent days.
As I stated in the Seanad last week, there are outstanding issues which remain to be resolved. The Government will continue to work constructively with the parties and the British Government in the days ahead to address these issues. We need to build on the improvements that have been achieved, so that there is certainty and clarity as to what is going to happen and when. We also need to work to build confidence and to provide reassurance that the vision and values of the Agreement and of the Patten Commission continue to lie at the heart of the policing project.
I would like once again to pay tribute to the distinguished role played by the Patten Commission in bringing forward a comprehensive, balanced and achievable set of recommendations.
Question No. 143 taken with Question No. 77.
