Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest efforts being made to ensure that Sinn Féin support the PSNI and take their seats on the Policing Board; the efforts he is making to encourage Sinn Féin to hold an Ard-Fheis on this issue as a matter of urgency; his views on whether a positive decision from such an Ard-Fheis has the potential to provoke significant progress towards restoring the political institutions in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39542/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The St. Andrews Agreement set out a clear timetable for the restoration of the political institutions in Northern Ireland. It also made clear that, as part of that process, all parties would fully support policing and the rule of law, while also recognising the right of every political party to hold the police to account.

In this regard, the St Andrews Agreement outlined the essential elements of support for the police and criminal justice system, including endorsing the PSNI, actively encouraging everyone in the community to co-operate fully with the PSNI in tackling crime in all areas, and actively supporting all the policing and criminal justice institutions, including the Policing Board. It also set a target-date of May 2008 for the transfer of policing and justice powers to the devolved Institutions.

Both Governments have been engaged in ongoing contact with the political parties to ensure that the various elements in the St. Andrews package are implemented. The first meeting of the Programme for Government Committee took place on Monday last, 20 November, to begin preparations for the full restoration of the Assembly and Executive next March. It is intended that this Committee, which includes Sinn Féin and other parties likely to comprise the incoming Executive, will consider a number of important issues in the coming weeks, including outstanding policing matters. We have consistently urged all parties to support policing, and urge them to take without delay any steps necessary to achieve this objective.

The convening of the Programme for Government meeting, and the expectation of further progress in the weeks ahead, reflect the overwhelming desire of people North and South to see the restoration of the political institutions in Northern Ireland and support by all parties for the policing and criminal justice system.

We will continue our efforts in the period ahead to secure the implementation of all the commitments set out in the St Andrews Agreement, including those relating to policing. We look forward to the support of all the political parties in this task.