Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

The clear position of the Government is that all parties should give their support to the new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland. Through the progressive implementation of the Patten report, the PSNI has undergone a wide-ranging transformation in recent years and is now one of the most accountable policing services in the world. The latest report of the independent oversight commissioner for policing, issued on 6 June last, confirmed that the "Independent Commission's vision of a new beginning to policing is both well under way and irreversible". Therefore, there are no substantive reasons in terms of policing reform for any further delay by Sinn Féin in endorsing the policing arrangements in Northern Ireland and taking their seats on the policing board and on the district policing partnerships.

Full political support for policing will benefit all sections of the community in Northern Ireland. It is also a critical element in terms of putting in place a new political dispensation in Northern Ireland. Early progress on policing will contribute to building trust and confidence in the period ahead. Nevertheless, we do not believe it would be helpful at this stage to raise this issue as a precondition or make it an obstacle to political progress in Northern Ireland. The Government has repeatedly made clear that there is a need to see progress in this regard without delay and we will continue to use every opportunity in the period ahead to press for positive movement.

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