Ahern welcomes SDLP's policing endorsement

The Taoiseach has warmly welcomed statements from the Catholic Bishops and the SDLP on new policing arrangements in the North. Bertie Ahern also hailed the SDLP's decision to nominate members to the Policing Board and District Policing Partnerships.

Mr Ahern said he was pleased that the SDLP shares the Government's positive assessment that the proposals can comprehensively deliver the spirit and substance of the Patten Report.

Mr Ahern said that he hoped other parties would soon be in a position to reach a similar assessment that the conditions can bring about a truly representative, accountable and acceptable police service for all the people in the North.

The SDLP's endorsement of the policing proposals was also welcomed by the Northern Secretary as an "unprecedented move". Dr John Reid said that he is pleased that the party would play a direct role in taking the process of fundamental change forward. He hoped the other parties would be able to give him their response by midday tomorrow.

Speaking after a meeting of the party's Assembly members in Stormont, John Hume said that the SDLP would respond positively to an invitation to join the Policing Board which will oversee the new Police Service of Northern Ireland. The party leader added that they would encourage people from all sections of the community to join the new police service.

The issues of policing and the Patten recommendations on RUC reform have continued to be contentious since the signing of the Good Friday agreement. For the first time in its 30-year history, the SDLP has decided to encourage Catholics to join the police.

Seamus Mallon, Deputy Leader of the SDLP, said that there had been around 100 changes made to the British government's police bill. He told young nationalists that the mechanism now existed through which policy could be changed for ever more.

The political parties have until tomorrow to give their replies to the Northern Secretary on the proposals.

A senior Ulster Unionist Assembly member has described the SDLP's announcement as "truly historic" in the context of Nationalism in the North over the past 80 years.

Michael McGimpsey said that it was a major concession by the SDLP. He added that it was particularly significant when also combined with the declaration of support by the Catholic Church.

Mr McGimpsey said that it was now clear that Sinn Féin was out of touch and was isolated on policing, decommissioning and the issue of the arrests in Colombia. He said that the entire world had lost patience with the Republican movement.

Earlier, Sinn Féin criticised the Catholic bishops' endorsement of the policing proposals as "premature". They say that the proposals are flawed. Party chairman Mitchel McLoughlin said that what was on offer did not match the proposals in the Patten Report on reforming the RUC. He commented that Nationalists would not accept half a loaf.