Vol. 571 No. 2
115 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the progress being made with regard to the development of acceptable policing structures in Northern Ireland; his further views on the intimidation of members of the district policing partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21082/03]
Much progress continues to be made in bringing about acceptable policing structures in Northern Ireland. The work of the Policing Board, the district policing partnerships, the Ombudsman, the Oversight Commissioner and Chief Constable Orde among others has ensured that the new beginning envisaged by the Patten report is being made a reality.
The extent of this progress is evident in the latest report of the Policing Oversight Commissioner, Mr. Tom Constantine. In his eighth report, published earlier this month, he indicates that "excellent progress" is being made in the implementation of the Patten report's recommendations. He particularly commends progress in areas such as the implementation of the policing in the community strategy, the development of the human rights plan, the new code of ethics, as well as continuing success in the recruitment of police officers and civilians.
The Garda Síochána (Police Co-operation) Act 2003, which was enacted on 24 June last, together with the corresponding British legislation, the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003, provides for secondments and personnel exchanges between An Garda Siochána and the PSNI and is another important step in the implementation of the Patten report's recommendations on North/South co-operation.
I note however that the Oversight Commissioner also draws attention to a number of areas where further progress still needs to be made. In particular, he warns against the "cherry-picking" of Patten's recommendations in areas such as the training programmes and facilities, the further reform of special branch and the normalisation of police stations. At the most recent meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 18 September I again raised our concerns with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about the rate of progress on these key issues.
The policing board has successfully tackled a range of complex and sensitive issues and in doing so has maintained the momentum behind the policing project, a project vital to the long-term peace and stability of Northern Ireland. I particularly commend the work of the SDLP as representatives of the Nationalist community on the board. They have done an outstanding job for their community.
It is of course the members of the district policing partnerships who now find themselves under threat. We must respect the decision of those who have resigned as much as we commend those who stand against the bully-boy tactics of those who seek to harass and intimidate. This House will wholeheartedly join me in this sentiment. The DPPs are an essential part of the new beginning in policing promised in the Agreement and serve a vital function on behalf of local communities. They have the full support of the Government and the British Government and deserve the full support of the whole community. It is entirely unacceptable and utterly reprehensible that these people should suffer from intimidation or harassment.
When I met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in Dublin on 18 September, I raised the issue of personal security of members of the DPPs. We agreed that it is absolutely vital that all members of the DPPs are assured of their personal safety, and that all necessary steps are taken to achieve this. The matter is being continually monitored by officials of my Department and is the subject of regular discussions within the framework of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat.
Fully implementing the Agreement means completing the policing project. The heart of the Patten recommendations is the creation of community policing. What is needed now is for all sections of the community to actively support the new policing structures and once again I call on everybody, including Sinn Féin and others, to consider joining the district policing partnerships and the policing board as soon as possible. It is only in this context that we can achieve a police service that is representative of the community, that is supported by the community, and that is held accountable by all sections of the community.
