961 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it would be in the interests of better policing here to adopt recommendation No. IV of the Patten Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1886/02]

962 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it would be in the interests of better policing here to adopt recommendation No. VIII of the Patten Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1887/02]

963 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it would be in the interests of better policing here to adopt recommendation No. 37 of the Patten Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1888/02]

964 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it would be in the interests of better policing here to adopt recommendation No. 38 of the Patten Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1889/02]

965 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it would be in the interests of better policing here to adopt recommendation No. 39 of the Patten Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1890/02]

966 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it would be in the interests of better policing here to adopt recommendation No. 40 of the Patten Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1891/02]

967 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it would be in the interests of better policing here to adopt recommendation No. 41 of the Patten Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1892/02]

968 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it would be in the interests of better policing here to adopt recommendation No. 46 of the Patten Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1893/02]

969 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it would be in the interests of better policing here to adopt recommendation No. 81 of the Patten Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1894/02]

970 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it would be in the interests of better policing here to adopt recommendation No. 93 of the Patten Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1895/02]

971 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it would be in the interests of better policing here to adopt recommendation No. 157 of the Patten Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1896/02]

972 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it would be in the interests of better policing here to adopt recommendation No. 162 of the Patten Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1897/02]

973 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of recommendations of the Patten Report which he considers would contribute to better policing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1898/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 961 to 973, inclusive, together.

The recommendations of the Patten Report relevant to co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland are being pursued. In particular I draw the Deputy's attention to the joint timetable agreed by the Irish and British Governments and published in December 2001 for the implementation of recommendations concerning North-South co-operation on policing matters, lateral entry and secondment.

I would, furthermore, add that an inter-governmental agreement regarding the implementation of recommendations on co-operation between the two police services contained in the Patten Report is being drafted and is due to be finalised shortly. This will come before the Dáil in due course.

As regards the other recommendations contained in the report, a number of which have been referred to by the Deputy, the position is that these recommendations were made in the context of political and policing circumstances unique to Northern Ireland. Notwithstanding this my Department will, of course, keep the recommendations contained in the report in mind, together with other relevant research and findings, in the ongoing development of policing policy in this jurisdiction.