NI police devolving hoped for as soon as 'possible'

MINISTER FOR Justice Brian Lenihan has said the Irish and British governments look forward to the devolution of policing and justice powers to the institutions in the North "as quickly as possible".

Addressing a North/South community policing programme at Boston College, Boston, yesterday, Mr Lenihan described the devolution of these powers as "the last great step" of the political process.

"I believe - as does the British government - that this is a step which will be in the interests of all the people in the North. Both governments look forward to this happening as quickly as possible," he said.

An Assembly committee charged with devising how policing and justice powers would be transferred from British direct-rule ministers to the Executive last week failed to agree a timetable for the devolution, and uncertainty over a date has fed recriminations between Sinn Féin and the DUP.

In Boston, Mr Lenihan also reiterated that joint policing committees would be introduced in all local-authority areas in the Republic this year, saying these bodies had great potential to ensure that policing was responsive to local needs.

Joint policing committees are forums for gardaí and councillors in communities across the State to discuss ways of combating crime. They monitor anti-social behaviour patterns in their catchment areas, including issues linked to drug and alcohol abuse, public disorder and estate management.

"An Garda Síochána is committed to community policing as the heart of policing in Ireland and this is exemplified by the gardaí being a routinely unarmed force. It has to permeate the entire policing service from top to bottom," the Minister said.

"The demand for greater Garda visibility within communities is a recurring one made by the public. The unprecedented increase in Garda numbers over the past few years and which continues at pace is helping to increase Garda visibility in the community.

"The importance to police forces of building strong relationships on the ground by maintaining such a high visible presence cannot be overstated."

Mr Lenihan added that the Garda Síochána was considering how to raise the profile and effectiveness of community policing within the organisation. A working group set up for this purpose had produced a final report, which is currently being considered by the Garda authorities.