Bill would allow PSNI officers to be appointed as senior gardai

Members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) may be appointed permanently to the Garda above the rank of inspector under a Bill introduced by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell.

The Bill also provides for the secondment of members of the Garda to the PSNI with full police powers for a period of up to three years. The Minister said that the UK government would be putting the necessary arrangements in place to allow members of the Garda compete for positions above the rank of inspector in the PSNI.

"The introduction of this Bill is, indeed, very timely having regard to those events taking place in Northern Ireland," he added. "It is a key measure towards implementing the policing principles contained in the Good Friday agreement."

Mr McDowell said that the Garda Síochána (Police Co-operation) Bill 2003 was a firm indication of the very real progress made relating to North-South co-operation on policing matters and was an important milestone in the implementation of the Patten Report.

"It represents a step forward into a new age and creates a formalised link between the Garda and the PSNI, which will bring benefits to both jurisdictions in the form of improved effectiveness in crime prevention and detection," he added.

While there had always been a comprehensive level of co-operation between the two bodies, this co-operation had been enhanced in recent years.