Vol. 528 No. 1
103 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views following the passage of the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill, 2000; the areas where this Bill differs from the recommendations contained in the Patten report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28297/00]
104 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of representations made by him to the British Government in respect of the recent passage of the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill, 2000; and the nature of such representations.. [28298/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.
Since the Patten report was published in September 1999, the Government has been in regular and ongoing contact with the British Government on the proposals set out therein for police reform in Northern Ireland.
In particular, we have had detailed discussions – at both ministerial and official level – on the Policing (Northern Ireland) Bill as it progressed through its various stages. As originally published, the Bill fell short of Patten's recommendations in a number of important areas. In the course of the legislative process substantial improvements were made to the Bill and it was passed into law on 23 November last.
The immediate focus is the revised implementation plan which is due to be published shortly. My most recent meeting with the Secretary of State was on 5 December last when we discussed a number of key issues relating to the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, including policing. My officials have also had discussions with their British counterparts in recent days on the revised plan.
The Government is working constructively with the parties and the British Government in trying to address outstanding concerns. As I said in the Seanad recently, we are seeking to build on the improvements that have been achieved. 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. That work continues.
