Gardai may be on NI streets in months

Gardai officers could be free to join the PSNI within months, it has been claimed.

SDLP representatives who met yesterday with the Irish Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell – in an effort to speed up all-Ireland policing and justice initiatives – said the pertinent legislation was being fast tracked through the Dail.

Speaking after the meeting, the SDLP's policing spokesperson Alex Atwood said: "It is now clear that Gardai officers will be able to enter the PSNI during the course of this year. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has confirmed that the new legislation enabling Gardai entry shall be tabled and passed in and around Easter."

Mr Atwood said it is likely that all stages of the new legislation would be debated and passed in one day. He said that Gardai officers in "significant posts" in the PSNI were going to be quickly realised and that this would be further progress in the implementation of the Patten recommendations.

Among the proposals discussed with the Irish Minister were:

• all-Ireland police training
• an all-Ireland implementation body on policing and justice issues
• development of an All-Ireland Charter of Rights
• all-Ireland laws to pursue offenders and deal with organised crime

SDLP Lagan Valley Assembly member Patricia Lewsley added: "The SDLP proposals can improve policing on the island and the protection of citizens. The SDLP have been campaigning for such proposals for years. There can be real progress on these matters in coming weeks and months."

Ms Lewsley said that the Minister acknowledged the work of the SDLP in driving forward policing change and the Patten agenda, and he confirmed that the new legislation was being given the highest priority.

(SP)