Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to contribute to this debate on the New Decade, New Approach agreement. It is certainly hard to see progress in the North when the assembly and institutions are constantly in flux. This is the nature of the peace process and we have become used to it. This should not really have been the outcome but sadly it is. Partly it is the nature of the compromises that had to be made in the dysfunctional society that prevails in the North, a consequence of the occupation, conflict and attempt to make a society that represents all and works for all.

An attempt has been made to show that an elected body could work and that the aspirations of all members of society could be met by the assembly. It is important for all the people of the island that the system works and shows that it works. Eventually, what we in the South will have to show the unionists in the North is that, ultimately, they would be better off in a united Ireland. If anything, the Brexit fiasco has shown that in reality the UK does not really care about the North and will use it for its own ends.

There are a number of things that are necessary for the functioning of a society. We must have confidence in a performing police service that represents all the people and works for everyone. Unfortunately, a recent case has highlighted, although not, it seems, in a sectarian way, that all societies need a police force they can depend on. I am speaking about the case of Noah Donohoe. As most of us in the House will remember, Noah was a young 14-year-old boy who went missing last June in Belfast. Six days later, his body was found in a storm drain in a part of the city that he did not know nor would have gone to at any time. There appears to have been a failure of action by the police that is leaving Noah's family in the horrific position of having to investigate this crime on their own. They have identified and rebuilt Noah's last journey by walking the route and identifying and following up on hundreds of security cameras that cover it. They have identified things the police should have done and acted on but did not. The question that has to be asked is "Why?" The family has looked south for help and support, and that is why I am raising his case today.

This case shows that the police force still has a way to go. Perhaps we should count ourselves lucky that it is not a sectarian issue we are speaking about but the failing of a police force in so-called "normal" circumstances. It is in these normal circumstances that the whole community needs the police to act impartially and properly in the investigation of crime. It seems clear to me, from what I have heard from Noah’s family, that the police have not acted properly in this investigation. For a grieving mother to be left with no option but to investigate herself and get further in the investigation than the police did is criminal and indefensible. Why should a mother who, as we all saw on television yesterday, is understandably torn up by the tragic death of her son have to carry out an investigation because it seems the authorities are not doing so? The proof of this need was shown when Fiona Donohoe made a public call for people with phone evidence to come forward, and they did. How could the PSNI not have done this? Why is it being left to a grieving family to come up with this?

These and other questions are some of the issues that Noah's family need answered. They need our help to get these answers. I urge the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister and everyone who can help to do so to ensure that Fiona can grieve in peace in the knowledge that all will be done by the PSNI to investigate and get to the truth of Noah's tragic death. It is urgent and pressing that people have confidence in the PSNI to investigate all crime and leave the legacy of the Troubles behind. I believe that is a vital part of starting to rebuilding society.

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