THERE has been no political representation or input by Dublin or London into the selection of a new RUC chief constable, the Police Authority for Northern Ireland (PANI) has made clear.
The authority, which will interview three short listed candidates for the post next Thursday, was responding to a call by the Belfast UUP councillor, Mr Fred Cobain, for information on any Irish government input into the nomination of PANI members and thereby into the selection of the chief constable.
Although the Dublin Government, under Article 6 of the Anglo Irish Agreement, can put forward views on appointments to various bodies, this facility has never been exercised in regard to PANI, the authority said.
The three candidates to succeed Sir Hugh Annesley, who retires in November, are his two deputies, Mr Blair Wallace (59) and Mr Ronnie Flanagan (46), and the City of London Police Commissioner, Mr Bill Taylor (49). They will be interviewed extensively on Thursday by a selection panel of nine PANI members, headed by the authority chairman, Mr Pat Armstrong.
The name of the authority's choice from the three shortlisted candidates will be referred to the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, for his approval, and could be announced next Friday.
A crucial task of the new chief constable will be to supervise a process of reform of the RUC which has been signalled by the British government. The Northern Security Minister, Sir John Wheeler, said this week "We have an opportunity and a responsibility to refocus the police service in Northern Ireland to meet changing needs and circumstances.
"We want to build on the original, sound British principles of policing that is, policing by consent impartiality with integrity, effectiveness and efficiency."
"The (British) government considers that, in spite of the breakdown of the Provisional IRA ceasefire and the tension and friction of recent weeks, it is essential to continue this process, and indeed to broaden and deepen the public debate on policing, and how it may be improved in line with the community's needs."
A number of initiatives have been undertaken by the British government, including a recent White Paper on policing, a review of policing organisation and needs, a review of the police complaints structure, a review of the parades issue, and a review of public order policing and the use of baton rounds.
SDLP spokesmen have criticised the measures as being inadequate to bring about the radical reform of the RUC which they insist is required, and Sinn Fein continues to argue that the force is incapable of the necessary reforms and should be disbanded.
Meanwhile, the NIO has confirmed that three new members are to be appointed to the Police Authority shortly. Two of these appointments are to fill the vacancies caused by the Northern Secretary's removal of the former PANI chairman, Mr David Cook, and authority member, Mr Chris Ryder.
Unconfirmed reports suggest they will be women from the Catholic community.