Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in regard to all parties in Northern Ireland expressing their support for the PSNI; when he expects Sinn Féin to be in a position to take their seats on the policing board; the efforts he has been making in this regard in recent months; if he expects movement on this issue before, during, or after the summer 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25262/06]

Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Does the Minister for State agree that a certain ambiguity has been created by the contrasting positions of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs? Will he clarify the matter? The Minister for Foreign Affairs has said that participation in the policing arrangements is not a precondition. At the same time, the Taoiseach has said that participation in the policing arrangements in Northern Ireland is a vital part of any new deal. I put it to the Minister of State that ambiguity has been created with regard to the structure of policing.

Would it not be better to deal with such transitional difficulties as are there, such as the issue of MI5 being the lead agency for intelligence gathering, as has been raised by Sinn Féin on occasion? It is time that the Government indicated its position clearly. Is it continuing to ask of Sinn Féin that it fully participate and seek such changes from within as would satisfy its criticisms or is it tacitly sending a separate message to the party that it is all right to stay outside? Which is it? Is it the Taoiseach's or the Minister for Foreign Affairs's version that is Government policy?

Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Our position has been very even-handed in Northern Ireland. We want to be fair to every party. We want total inclusivity, engagement and involvement. We want the democratic process to move forward. People are misconstruing the statements made by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs on this serious issue.

The Government has been consistent in calling for the full endorsement of the new policing arrangements by all political parties without delay. As I stated, the latest report from the oversight commissioner for policing points out that 124 of the 175 Patten report recommendations have now been fully implemented, which is a considerable achievement. Among the outstanding issues, the absence of Sinn Féin from the policing board and the district policing committees is now one of the most significant. Therefore, it is vital that political support for the new arrangements becomes universal so that the reform process can be brought to full fruition.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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That is the Taoiseach's version.

Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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What the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs have said is that we want progress. We want everybody to move forward together, we want to make the deadline of 24 November and we do not want any new preconditions to be created. In that way, we will know exactly where we are going. We had a text in December of 2004 which was an agreed text. We were almost at the finishing line, with everybody about to sit down together.

There are advantages in everything. We have the preparation for the government committee. I pay tribute to all those involved in that committee, especially MLAs Molloy and Wells. Much dialogue, discussion and negotiation is taking place at that committee. A start has been made. We want to continue with the dialogue and to build trust. We want everybody to endorse the policing services and become involved with them.

Every political party with a mandate in Northern Ireland has a serious moral, political and public responsibility to give leadership and to be engaged and involved to achieve a consensus that will build trust and confidence in order that a structure can be put in place to allow the people of Northern Ireland to do their own business, with the support of the two Governments. That is our goal and desire.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Therefore, it is the Taoiseach's version which is Government policy.

Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach is the man who gives the leadership to the nation.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Yes, of course.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Sometimes.