Mr. Conor Murphy, MP, MLA:

I thank the Chairman. Ms Watters made an important point about the positioning of this type of approach in terms of justice. The point about the necessity to keep that linkage with the community and not simply become another statutory agency is well made. I am very much aware of this. I have a local project, the CRJ project in Newry and Armagh, which has worked effectively, in both a rural and urban setting, and has provided excellent results.

I will be brief because quite a number of areas have been covered. One aspect that always struck me as remarkable, particularly about CRJ, and that I am sure is the same with Northern Ireland alternatives, is the progression from initial hostility for policing to a reluctant engagement to a sense I get, if not broadly across the PSNI then certainly among key players, of an acknowledgement and acceptance of the benefits of restorative justice processes, not only to the community but to the police service itself. One gets much more of a sense that people have had their eyes opened and are now embracing involving police personnel in training programmes and the like. Some within the PSNI now understand it. I am not sure how widespread that is but I certainly get that sense.

I wonder about the engagement across the Border in Dundalk's project and other engagements in the South. Is that something that is on the agenda of the Garda Síochána as well, that people not simply see this as some project that goes on in the community but as a resource for policing which improves how they engage with the community but takes off their plate many matters that tie up necessary policing resources for other areas? The PSNI is starting to understand that. I wonder is there the same sense about policing on this side of the Border.