NI
Police Bill critics should realise radical goals Both traditions in Northern
Ireland should appreciate the pain inflicted by their demands on policing,
writes Adam Ingram
From IRISH TIMES August 5th, 2000
The SDLP and others have argued that his remit should cover Patten's recommendations
rather than our plans for implementing them, but it seems more sensible
to concentrate on implementation, which is the Commissioner's primary purpose.
He will issue reports to give public reassurance and validation of the changes.
Retrospective Inquiries We have provided powers for the Ombudsman to carry
out retrospective investigation of complaints against the police. But where
the Policing Board is concerned, some of our critics seem to have forgotten
that the Good Friday agreement and the Patten report are both about a new
beginning, not raking over the past. It is hard to avoid the conclusion
that there is a political motive in the desire to pursue old grievances.
Patten never intended the Policing Board to become a surrogate truth and
reconciliation committee - that is not its function. The Taoiseach and Tony
Blair discussed the Police Bill when they met earlier this week. A relatively
small number of outstanding issues remain. They will be resolved in the
months ahead, before the Bill becomes law. In the meantime, I hope all sides
in this debate will take the opportunity of the summer break to reflect
on the radical nature of the Bill's proposals. Above all, instead of concentrating
purely on their own areas of dissatisfaction, I hope they will spend time
reflecting on the difficulties of those who disagree with them. Alex Attwood
rightly comments that nationalists have taken risks. He must surely appreciate
that unionists have also taken risks. And both will have to take further
risks if the Good Friday agreement is to be fully implemented. There is
a degree of pain to be borne by everyone as a result of the Good Friday
agreement, a point well illustrated in yesterday's thoughtful editorial
on the killing of Det Garda McCabe. If both traditions in Northern Ireland
can appreciate the pain inflicted by their demands in relation to policing,
then we will have gone a long way to achieving the goal shared by the two
governments and by Patten himself - "a police service that can enjoy widespread support from, and is seen as an integral part of, the whole community".
Adam Ingram MP is the Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office |
