Catholic and Protestant policing recruitment quotas in Northern Ireland should be replaced with a fairer form of affirmative action, the cross-community Alliance Party claimed today.
It called in its Assembly Election manifesto for the replacement of the 50:50 quotas which have also been criticised by unionist parties in the North.
The party, which reaffirmed its commitment to the Belfast Agreement, also called for:
- The phased devolution of policing and criminal justice responsibilities from Westminster to Stormont.
- The introduction of hate crime laws in Northern Ireland.
- The creation of specific offences over the erection of flags and other emblems and painting of paramilitary murals.
- The replacement of the voting system at Stormont with one based on a simple weighted majority.
- A duty to be placed on all agencies in Northern Ireland to promote community relations.
- The promotion of secure mixed housing areas.
- The development of a Single Equality Act.
- The amendment of Fair Employment monitoring regulations to stop people being labelled Catholic or Protestant against their will.
- Tax varying powers for Stormont enabling the Executive to offer incentives to increase jobs and income.
- The scrapping of the regional rate, replacing it with a local income tax based on people's ability to pay.
- A reduction in bureaucracy and regulations for small businesses.
- The introduction of the euro.
- A new stadium for soccer, rugby, GAA and other sports in Northern Ireland.