Gardai can join new NI police force - Mandelson

Serving officers in the Garda Siochana will be able to apply for membership of the new Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI…

Serving officers in the Garda Siochana will be able to apply for membership of the new Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), under rule changes being planned by the British government.

The Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, is preparing an amendment to the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill to effect this proposal, to be introduced in the House of Lords next month.

The move is part of a concerted effort to maximise the number of experienced Catholic officers available for promotion to senior rank during the early phase of 50/50 Protestant/Catholic recruitment to the new service.

Mr Mandelson confirms the plan in today's Irish Times. In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Mandelson also

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confirms a major review of anti-racketeering measures is under way, and describes tackling Northern Ireland's "mafia-like virus" as "the next great challenge" of the peace process;

rejects suggestions that the police turn a "blind eye" to paramilitary-controlled drug trafficking for reason of peace-process politics;

says he has kept Mr Chris Patten fully briefed on the British government's implementation of his report, and that the former commission chairman has expressed absolutely no concern about his handling of it, and

indicates that key decisions on the vexed questions of flags and emblems for the PSNI may not be made until the proposed new Policing Board is operational.

The move to open membership of the PSNI to serving Garda officers is known technically as "lateral entry". It enables officers to move to different forces within the UK jurisdiction and is in line with the recommendations of the Patten Commission and with Home Office plans to enable the recruitment of other EU nationals to British constabularies.

The Patten Commission said the lateral entry of experienced officers from other police services, and secondments and recruitments from non-police organisations, should be actively encouraged. In his interview today, Mr Mandelson confirms the British government's policy is to support this approach.

The move could be significant in the context of the proposal to recruit for the PSNI on a 50/50 Protestant/Catholic basis and in ensuring the rapid appointment of suitably qualified Catholic officers to senior rank in the new service.

The Northern Ireland Office last night stressed that, regardless of religion, all applications would continue to be treated strictly on merit.

Asked about its potential significance, Mr Mandelson says: "In theory it is possible that such lateral entry could come about. But precisely how and on what terms would remain to be considered." The Secretary of State said he had not discussed the issue with the Irish Government.

Asked if he has a serious problem with the SDLP and Sinn Fein over Patten - and whether the parties might refuse to accept the PSNI - Mr Mandelson says: "It is unwise to take fixed, inflexible positions" and "even more dangerous to try and find a consensus on a way forward by having a war of words."