Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

172. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has concerns regarding the accusation of the PSNI favouring one community over another in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28700/13]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

173. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether there has been full devolution of policing matters in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28702/13]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

175. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has concerns that there are leaders in Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland that say they have lost confidence in policing in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28706/13]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

176. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the fact that there are leaders in the DUP that say they have concerns regarding policing in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28707/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 172, 173, 175 and 176 together.

Under the terms of the Good Friday and Weston Park agreements, policing and criminal justice powers in Northern Ireland were devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly in April 2010. As a result the new Department of Justice in Northern Ireland now has responsibility for policing and justice issues. The completion of the devolution of policing and justice marked an important milestone in fulfilling the full vision of the Good Friday Agreement and closed the circle in the transformation of policing structures in Northern Ireland. All those involved in transforming policing and in changing attitudes around policing can be very proud of the changed service they have built and the new culture of policing.

More than a decade on from the Patten Report, authority and responsibility for policing and justice issues are now where they ought to be – at the local level, accountable to, and operating for the benefit of all in the community. In the spirit of Patten, the PSNI is a police service, not a police force, part of the framework of society in the north. One of the hallmarks of the new service is independent oversight which is exercised by the Policing Board and guarantees public confidence in the new arrangements. Sinn Féin’s decision to join the Policing Board ensures their participation in these new arrangements and their voice, as is the voice of all political parties, is rightly heard.

I have had frequent contact with the party leaders within the Northern Ireland Executive on policing and related issues in the context of the overall situation in Northern Ireland. I have assured them that the Government remains fully engaged in our support of the work of the PSNI. I was particularly impressed by the recent PSNI led cross community conference initiative which was held in Cardiff to promote improved community and policing relations. Initiatives such as this are very welcome as we head into the Summer marching season.

The persistence of sectarianism in Northern Ireland, with the absence of political agreement on how to make progress towards a truly reconciled society, contributes to the likelihood of incidents such as those we have witnessed in recent weeks. While we continue to work in support of efforts to address the root causes of sectarianism, it is vital that the rule of law is respected and that the PSNI is fully supported in implementing the rule of law.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

174. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the new party NI 21 in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28704/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The political party NI21 was launched on 6 June, 2013 at a public event in Belfast. While the policy platform of the party is currently being developed, the party has indicated it will take a unionist stand on the constitutional issue, while making an appeal to all sides of the community. The party describes itself as “a confident, generous, and progressive pro-UK party”. The formation of a political party is a fundamental freedom in any democratic society. I would expect that the new party will put a policy platform before the electorate in due course. Officials from my Department have contact with representatives from NI 21 and I look forward to having an opportunity to meet with the party leadership in due course.