Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the comprehensive agreement; if the timetable for the devolution of responsibility for justice and policing to the Northern Ireland Assembly remains the template from which the two Governments are working; the efforts that have been made to encourage all parties to support policing arrangements in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6991/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Regrettably, it did not prove possible to reach agreement on the proposals for a comprehensive agreement in December 2004. However, the package published at that time remains an important reference point for the Governments' ongoing engagement with the political parties in Northern Ireland, which has as its ultimate objective the restoration of partnership Government and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement at the earliest possible opportunity.

Recommendation 20 of the Patten report stated that responsibility for policing should be devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive as soon as possible. The criminal justice review stipulated that the same range of criminal justice functions as are devolved to the Scottish Parliament should be devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The British Government published draft enabling legislation and a discussion document on 16 February 2006 indicating a willingness to devolve most reserved powers in this field, including matters related to the criminal law, public order, the creation of offences, the police service and the courts.

It is now for the political parties to decide on the exact scope of devolution and the shape of any future ministry or ministries. I am aware that all political parties are willing in principle to support the devolution of policing and justice in the right circumstances. In order for powers to be transferred, a cross-community vote in the Assembly will be required and it is envisaged that the process of transferring responsibility will take a period of up to two years from the date of that vote.

The Government has made it clear that the restoration of the institutions and the devolution of policing and justice powers will require all parties to fully endorse the police service and the criminal justice system, both of which have undergone wide-ranging transformation in recent years as part of the ongoing implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. The Taoiseach and I have reiterated directly our view to the Sinn Féin leadership that there should be no further delay in joining the policing board and supporting the police. I have also made it clear that endorsement of policing requires a willingness to encourage people to deal with and join the police. It also involves taking a full and constructive part in the work of the policing board and the district policing partnerships.

The PSNI has been described by the independent oversight commissioner as one of the most accountable policing organisations in the world. A new culture of policing is being created in Northern Ireland, and it is important that all political parties partake in consolidating that culture. With the publication of the draft legislation and the British Government's stated commitment to devolving policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly, one of the final elements of the Patten reform package is now being put in place. In light of these positive developments, a decision by Sinn Féin to endorse the new policing arrangements would ensure that nationalist areas have the full benefit of an effective, accountable police service, as is their entitlement under the Good Friday Agreement.