Legislation that requires 50 per cent of recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland to be Catholic is to be reviewed.
Security Minister Paul Goggins said: "The (British) government intends to carry out a wide-ranging consultation exercise on the temporary provisions over the coming weeks and I will be taking submissions from interested parties and offering the main parties the opportunity for discussion."
However, the British government is expected to renew the legislation that has increased Catholic representation in the regular service from 8.2 per cent in 2001 to 20.08 per cent currently.
The minister said: "Subject to any issues arising in the review process, it is currently the (British) government's intention to renew these provisions so that the target of 30 per cent Catholic representation in the PSNI will be met by 2010/11."
The legislation, which introduced the 50-50 recruitment - as well as encouraging the recruitment of officers above the rank of sergeant from other forces - expires at the end of March next year.
Under legislation it may be renewed by the Northern Ireland Secretary for a maximum of three years, either in its entirety, or in part.
PA