The investigation into the recent murder in Co Monaghan of Paul Quinn was remarkable because of the unprecedented levels of co-operation police on both sides of the Border were getting from the community, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Shaun Woodward, said yesterday.
Answering questions at the meeting of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body, Mr Woodward said the problem was to get witnesses to support what they were saying with signed statements, which required huge levels of courage. Politicians had to be careful not to make it harder for witnesses, he said.
"We will do everything to ensure that people come forward who may have something that may be helpful to the police to bring about a successful prosecution." The PSNI chief constable regarded it as a priority "that we are able to nail the killers". Mr Quinn's murder was a despicable crime, he said, but there was now a different climate, in that people, in an area where there had been intimidation, were not afraid to come forward and were being encouraged by their communities to do so.
The role of Sinn Féin leaders had to be acknowledged in this, Mr Woodward said. It had been an incredible transformation. Also there was an unprecedented level of co-operation between the two police forces. "We are now in a new era," he said.
Mr Woodward condemned the two recent dissident attacks on PSNI officers but said it should be noted that among the first to condemn the attacks were Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley. This was very significant.
In his address to backbenchers from both houses of the Oireachtas and Westminster and members from the Northern Ireland, Welsh and Scottish Assemblies, the Northern Secretary said the political settlement in the North was becoming increasingly strong but difficult decisions had to be made next year. These included the budget, education, regeneration of the Maze Prison and investment.
The size of the public service, he said, had to be looked at also. Public spending in the North made up 70 per cent of the economy compared with 34 per cent in the Republic.
A report from a sub-committee called for more support for the Irish community living in Britain which it said was one of the most vulnerable groups in society.
There were more than two million Irish in Britain, making it one of the largest ethnic groups, yet there was a lack of consistency in the recognition, support and financial assistance from British authorities at both national and local level. The Irish were ageing, in poor health and had a high suicide rate.