11293 report 19 - CAIN - University of Ulster

accountabilityRecommendation StatusCompliance with this recommendation has been achieved.HistoryThe procedure recommended by the Independent Commission has been followed in choosing andappointing independent members. This is expected to be the case for the newly reconstitutedBoard post 8 May 2007.Recommendation 19:Appointment of ChairmanPatten Recommendation:19. A Board member of high quality and standing in the community should be appointed by theSecretary of State to be the first chairman of the Board, with the agreement of the FirstMinister and the Deputy First Minister, for an initial term of four years.Lead Responsibility: NIORecommendation StatusCompliance with this recommendation has been achieved.HistoryThis recommendation was fulfiled with the appointment of Professor Emeritus Sir Desmond Reaas Chairman of the first Policing Board. He was also confirmed for the second Board. AChairman will be elected on 31 May for the newly appointed Board.Recommendation 20: Devolution of Responsibility for PolicingPatten Recommendation20. Responsibility for policing should be devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive as soon aspossible, except for matters of national security.Lead Responsibility: NIO/Northern Ireland ExecutiveRecommendation StatusFull compliance with this recommendation has not been achieved. (Limited progress).HistoryDevolution of power over police and justice is covered by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, asamended by the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 and the Northern Ireland(St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006.The latter calls for devolution of police and justice in May 2008,provided that the Assembly is re-established as called for by the St.Andrews Agreement. In linewith the Independent Commission recommendation, national security will not be devolved.Remaining IssueDevolution will be a topic of discussion over the life of the current assembly, with an expectation thatpolicing and justice powers will be devolved to the Assembly. The target date is currently May of 2008.43