Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

This is the agreement between the Government and the British Government done in Belfast on 29 April 2002. Like Senator Terry I have a similar difficulty in trying to interpret this provision. I notice that under Article 5 a programme shall be introduced to facilitate members to transfer and be placed within the other police force and therefore perhaps policing is not envisaged as part of that. I wonder if there is a general expectation that people who avail of the transfer will automatically serve beyond one year as under section 3. I envisage that people could transfer for periods of six or nine months and I believe they should also be involved in policing duties during that time.

The Minister of State specifically mentioned training exchanges which have already taken place between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI. That is to be welcomed. The development of skills in areas such as detective work would be worthwhile in this context. I have a certain reservation. I appreciate that the intent of this article is very different for those participants as opposed to those on normal secondment. I ask the Minister of State to explain why we would not allow people who transfer to have the powers of policing in the jurisdiction.