Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 314: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the appointment of a former UDR commander to head up training in the PSNI sends an appropriate signal to Nationalists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23894/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Mr. David Strudley was appointed on 23 June 2005 to head up the new PSNI policing college in Cookstown, County Tyrone, following a UK-wide advertisement campaign, interview and selection process. Mr. Strudley will take up his new post this September. The Patten commission recommended that recruit training for the police service should move away from a military focus, have a high degree of civilian input, dramatically reduce the amount of hours spent on drill and move away from command and control approaches to problem-solving community oriented approaches. The Government fully supports that objective as a key part of the move toward community policing, which is at the very heart of the Patten report.

The issue of police training was recognised by the Patten report and the independent commission as critical to the overall success of the policing reforms. The oversight commissioner in his most recent 13th report acknowledges that significant progress has been made on the training recommendations made by the commission but emphasised that more needs to be done in this area. This crucial area will be the subject of continuing oversight by the oversight commissioner. I am aware that he is to carry out a major thematic report into the area of training later this year, which will assess progress in this area. I am confident that under his supervision and that of the policing board the Patten commission's vision will be realised.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 315: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the loyalist attack on the home of a person (details supplied); if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the victim had to be taken to hospital as a consequence; if he has contacted this victim to express his sympathy; and the other actions he may take with respect to this incident. [23895/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 321: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent arson attack by loyalists from White City on Nationalist homes in the Throne area of north Belfast, which is a mixed area with a number of mixed marriages; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that eight children were asleep in one house at the time of the attack and that this was the fifth sectarian attack by loyalists in Belfast in 48 hours; the actions he is taking in response; and if he has made or will make any representations to Unionist politicians to urge them to exercise leadership in their communities to stop these attacks. [23902/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 321 together.

The incidents in north Belfast referred to by the Deputy are a matter of great concern to the Government. These incidents, as with all such sectarian attacks, are reprehensible and without justification. I am aware that the summer is a particularly difficult time of year for many Nationalist residents of Belfast and the north east generally. Officials of my Department closely monitor the situation in north Belfast through their contacts locally with local business, community leaders and members of the clergy across the community divide.

I assure the Deputy that incidents to which he refers were immediately raised with the British Government through the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast. Additionally, this recent spate of attacks on Nationalist homes in north Belfast was specifically discussed at the most recent meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London on 27 June 2005 at which both the British Prime Minister and the Taoiseach were in attendance. I will continue to seek reassurances from the British Government that appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all the residents of north Belfast.

Interface tension has been eased somewhat in recent years through the establishment of a number of cross-community partnerships designed to provide an early warning system to diffuse potential flashpoint situations. These schemes have contributed significantly toward the improved atmosphere witnessed in recent years. The Government is very supportive of these co-operative schemes that foster trust and respect within communities and will continue to promote their use in improving community relations. Furthermore, I have reiterated in my most recent meetings with political parties in the North the desirability for those with influence to do whatever they can to ease tensions and assist the efforts being made to ensure that the marching season passes off peacefully.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 316: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has asked or will ask the PSNI chief constable to state publicly whether the officers involved in the original investigation into the killing of Mr. Seán Browne are still members of the PSNI, and to explain the way in which files in this case went missing from the PSNI barracks at which only his officers had access to them. [23896/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Police Ombudsman has published information on the status of the PSNI officers who were involved in the original Seán Browne investigation in her report on the original investigation published on 19 January 2004. The report states that the senior investigating officer responsible for that investigation has now retired. The ombudsman also states that under the law, a retired officer cannot be made amenable for any misconduct occurring before his retirement.

The ombudsman also investigated the role of the deputy senior investigating officer on the case. The ombudsman states in her report that due to the absence of the relevant file, it was impossible for her to audit the decision-making process and the degree of autonomy that the officer in question had. The officer was still serving in the PSNI at the time of the ombudsman's findings and I have made inquiries as to whether this is still the case. An extensive search was carried out by the Police Ombudsman for the missing file.

As recommended by the ombudsman, a complete reinvestigation into the murder of Mr. Seán Browne is under way and the PSNI officers involved in this new investigation have no link with the original police investigation. Additionally, officials from my Department sit on the advisory group to this investigation along with members of the Browne family, their legal adviser, a representative of the Pat Finucane Centre and an external consultant.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 317: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that more than 80 loyalist flags and bunting were erected in the mixed Edenmore Road area of Limavady in May 2005 and that this infringes on the right of Nationalists in this area to live free of fear and sectarian intimidation; and the representations he has made to Unionist politicians with respect to this unwelcome development. [23897/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The display of flags and emblems in Northern Ireland is an emotive and often controversial practice that has been the subject of much discussion both internally within the relevant agencies in the North and also between my officials and their British counterparts. The specific situation in Limavady was highlighted in media reports earlier in the week and, as a result, I have asked the British authorities to update me with regard to the ongoing efforts to resolve the situation to the satisfaction of all those in the Edenmore area. I hope to receive a reply on the matter in the coming days.

More generally, I note the recent signing of a protocol that will lead to renewed efforts to prevent illegal banners appearing in public places. The PSNI, the Offices of the First and Deputy First Minister, the Department for Regional Development, the Department of the Environment, the Department for Social Development and the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland have agreed to tackle this scourge cumulatively, particularly focusing their efforts on those flags and banners that show support for proscribed organisations. Community engagement on this issue has led to the removal of a number of these illegal banners in recent years, mainly in the wider Belfast area, and it is hoped that continued involvement in this process at a local level will generate similar results throughout Northern Ireland.

The Government views the use of flags to mark out territory, promote sectarianism or intimidate people as completely unacceptable. I can assure the Deputy that the progress of this recently established multi-agency partnership will be closely monitored as it attempts to remove flags and emblems from arterial routes and town centres and the removal of all paramilitary flags and displays throughout the North.