Hain calls on republicans to support PSNI

The Northern Ireland Secretary of State has called on republicans to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

At a speech delivered at Magill Summer School in Co Donegal, Mr Hain said he wanted to take republican’s reservations about policing "seriously" and deal with them directly.

He said: "They seem to me to fall into two categories. First, republicans continue to question the practical details of the reform of policing and its completion. When Chris Patten published his report in 1999, Irish historians could perhaps understand why Sinn Fein reserved judgement while the recommendations were translated into legislation. That process was tortuous but once the legislation was complete, and the process of implementation was underway, the Irish Government, the SDLP, the Catholic Church and broad nationalist opinion shifted towards supporting the change process.

"They knew that it was indeed a process rather than a state of perfection, but realised that their support was essential to achieving the very improvements that nationalists wanted to see."

Mr Hain appealed for "any outstanding issues of real concern" to be discussed.

"The PSNI and the Government are ready to take part in a mature and sustained dialogue with the Sinn Fein leadership this autumn on any outstanding concerns about the change programme. There is no reason to delay this engagement on practical issues."

He referred to the approach adopted by senior Sinn Fein figures in relation to the resolution of parade issues as "encouraging."

(SP/KMcA)