Bill allowing NI police to join Garda criticised

There were heated exchanges between the Minister for Justice and Sinn Féin deputies during the resumed debate on the Bill allowing members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to join the Garda.

Sinn Féin deputies and Mr Finian McGrath (Independent, Dublin North Central) spoke against the Bill, arguing that it was premature. The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, argued that since every speaker in the House had supported the principle of co-operation in policing on the island, the only issue was that of timing. "Now is the time to go forward with these measures and it is not the time to stall the process," he added.

When Mr McDowell said that in the past fortnight an attempt was made by so-called dissident republicans to murder two PSNI members by throwing a coffee-jar bomb at their patrol car, Mr Arthur Morgan (SF, Louth) asked if the those involved were members of the PDs. Mr McDowell asked if Mr Morgan accepted they were dissident members of the republican movement. "I do not," replied Mr Morgan. The Minister said: "That is the benighted ignorance that somehow visits the deputy whenever he wants it to do so."

As the exchanges continued, he added: "It is when one gets going on these little asides that the truth begins to emerge and the mask slips. The carefully manicured, Armani-suited image that Sinn Féin seeks for itself falls away and one sees the real nature of the problem with which we all have to deal."

Earlier, the Minister said that in the short period of its existence, the PSNI had shown determination, bravery, courage and even-handedness in dealing with loyalist gangland activities and their vicious sectarianism.

Mr Aengus Ó Snodaigh (SF, Dublin South Central) said it had not arrested the special branch officers responsible for running loyalist gangs.

Mr McDowell replied: "If everyone was choosy about the past activities of everybody they had to deal with, there would be very little progress made."

When Mr Ó Snodaigh said he was talking about present activities, Mr McDowell said he was talking about the deputy. Mr Ó Snodaigh accused the Minister of casting "a slur upon my character", and challenged him to withdraw it. But the Leas Cheann Comhairle, Mr Seamus Pattison, said the charge was of a political nature.

Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said the Bill was premature. "It is a step at an appropriate time in the future to which we could all accord a welcome," he added.

Mr Ó Caoláin said it was important that the Taoiseach came forward with the formula of words the British government had used "to convince him that the British war in Ireland is over". He said the Bill had far-reaching implications for every citizen in the State and on the island.

"It amounts, in our view and in the opinion of a significant body of opinion on the island, to an endorsement by the Oireachtas of the PSNI as it stands.

"The legislation is being taken now and that judgment has been made. However, the so-called Police Service of Northern Ireland does not have cross-country support in the North of Ireland and the legacy of the RUC has not been banished."

He added that listening to some contributions to the debate, he was struck by how far removed some deputies were from the reality of life for hundreds of thousands of nationalist people north of the Border.

Mr McGrath said he was also a dissenting voice on the issue. "We are now at the stage where the island of Ireland needs a police force that we can trust and respect. That police force must be community-based, enjoying the respect and support of all our people. The police must earn confidence and respect, for the days of demanding respect are gone forever. They must earn it before we can go forward. There can be no room for corruption or cover-ups in any police force, North or South."

The House will vote on the second stage of the Bill next week.