Menu
24/09/2003
Police recruitment a 'failed policy' says Cobain
UUP Policing Board member Fred Cobain has told the Government that 50-50 police recruitment is a failed policy of discrimination.
The north Belfast councillor also said the policy was doing untold damage to Protestant confidence in the peace process.
Mr Cobain made his statement just as Security Minister Jane Kennedy said a review into the effectiveness of the policy is set to take place.
However, his comments were condemned by SDLP policing spokesperson, Alex Attwood, who called on unionists to "back off" on the 50:50 issue.
"The reality is that the 50:50 quota is vital to bring about, not only a representative service, but also an impartial one," he said.
"Equal recruitment will bring about the equal police service to which nationalists and unionists have an equal right. Indeed it is striking that the unionist politicians who attack the quota on equality grounds never once attacked the old RUC for failing to police Northern Ireland equally."
Unionist politicians would have to face the truth that the old RUC was not impartial, he added.
The temporary provisions of the Police (NI) Act 2000 are due to expire in March, 2004.
(MB)
The north Belfast councillor also said the policy was doing untold damage to Protestant confidence in the peace process.
Mr Cobain made his statement just as Security Minister Jane Kennedy said a review into the effectiveness of the policy is set to take place.
However, his comments were condemned by SDLP policing spokesperson, Alex Attwood, who called on unionists to "back off" on the 50:50 issue.
"The reality is that the 50:50 quota is vital to bring about, not only a representative service, but also an impartial one," he said.
"Equal recruitment will bring about the equal police service to which nationalists and unionists have an equal right. Indeed it is striking that the unionist politicians who attack the quota on equality grounds never once attacked the old RUC for failing to police Northern Ireland equally."
Unionist politicians would have to face the truth that the old RUC was not impartial, he added.
The temporary provisions of the Police (NI) Act 2000 are due to expire in March, 2004.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 January 2017
Law To Protect Mothers Who Breastfeed To Be Introduced
New legislation to protect mothers who breastfeed their children in public is to be introduced in Northern Ireland. Health Minister Michelle O'Neill will bring forward the legislation.
Law To Protect Mothers Who Breastfeed To Be Introduced
New legislation to protect mothers who breastfeed their children in public is to be introduced in Northern Ireland. Health Minister Michelle O'Neill will bring forward the legislation.
23 September 2016
Call For NI To Legalise Equal Marriage
Northern Ireland needs to legalise equal marriage as soon as possible, according to the Alliance Party. The party made the call after the government of Guernsey recognised the rights of all citizens to be married.
Call For NI To Legalise Equal Marriage
Northern Ireland needs to legalise equal marriage as soon as possible, according to the Alliance Party. The party made the call after the government of Guernsey recognised the rights of all citizens to be married.
01 June 2009
'Equality' On Civil Service Pay Sought
There should be equal pay for work of equal value, Stormont Finance and Personnel Minister Nigel Dodds insisted. He said on Monday that he is determined to establish a civil service pay and grading system that ensures such equality.
'Equality' On Civil Service Pay Sought
There should be equal pay for work of equal value, Stormont Finance and Personnel Minister Nigel Dodds insisted. He said on Monday that he is determined to establish a civil service pay and grading system that ensures such equality.
27 November 2002
Sinn Fein's Derry motion dropped by council
Sinn Fein has seen its bid to have Londonderry renamed as Derry rejected at a meeting of the city council on Tuesday evening. The party's motion was dropped in favour of an SDLP amendment which gave equal status to both names.
Sinn Fein's Derry motion dropped by council
Sinn Fein has seen its bid to have Londonderry renamed as Derry rejected at a meeting of the city council on Tuesday evening. The party's motion was dropped in favour of an SDLP amendment which gave equal status to both names.
22 September 2021
£15m Investment In NI Farming Industry
The farming sector in NI is set to benefit from an investment of £15 million, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced. Speaking to key industry stakeholders at a reception at the Balmoral Show, Minister Poots said the extra cash would be paid out next month.
£15m Investment In NI Farming Industry
The farming sector in NI is set to benefit from an investment of £15 million, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced. Speaking to key industry stakeholders at a reception at the Balmoral Show, Minister Poots said the extra cash would be paid out next month.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
