Republican News · Thursday 30 January 2003

Powers on policing and justice should be transferred

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Policing and Justice, Gerry Kelly, has called for the powers on policing and justice to be transferred to the Assembly and North/South Ministerial Council.

Launching a Sinn Fein discussion document on the issue last week, Kelly said:

"Proper policing and justice structures are essential if we are to move away from the injustices and abuses of the past. The starting point for the new beginning to policing promised in the Good Friday Agreement has to be the full and faithful implementation of the Patten recommendations. The British government has not delivered Patten in full. This is the minimum threshold.

"In terms of the Criminal Justice system, the British government's position falls far short of the fundamental overhaul envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement. The justice system must be radically reshaped to create a system that has the confidence of all our people. The British Government has not yet delivered this. As with the Patten recommendations these changes are essential if we are to achieve an acceptable justice system.

"In line with the Good Friday Agreement and in the context of the full and faithful implementation of the Patten recommendations, Sinn Fein wishes to see the early transfer of powers on policing and justice to the Assembly and the North/South Ministerial Council.

This requires:

• Transfer of powers in the areas of policing and justice to the Northern Assembly and Executive;
• Comprehensive North-South arrangements in relation to policing and justice
• Judicial transformation; and
• An end to repressive legislation;

"We need to see the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement restored. In this context the issues of policing and justice should be matters for local democratic accountability.

" The principles in the Good Friday Agreement in respect of institutions established under the aegis of the Agreement - the safeguards, checks and balances and an All-Ireland character - need to be applied to structures governing the issues of policing and justice. This will entrench the democratic accountability which is critical to a new beginning to policing and justice in this society. "

Sinn Féin's views on this issue have been given to the two governments. Sinn Féin will be circulating a discussion paper to the other political parties North and South, to the community sector and other interested bodies and welcomes comments on it. Copies available from your local Sinn Féin office.