On Hearts and Minds, Gerry Kelly appeared to add another precondition (to the existing three) before Sinn Fein will sign up for policing:
Noel Thompson: Will you, if and when you come on board policing, will you say we don’t want to investigate anything that has been before…
Gerry Kelly: Yes. Yes.
Noel Thompson: …this is a new beginning?
Gerry Kelly: I have said it before a new beginning is a new beginning.
This mirrors Aengus O Snodaigh’s conditional support for the Garda. However where does such a position leave republican demands by the likes of Ogra Shinn Fein, An Fhrinne, New Lodge Six campaign, Pat Finucance Centre and Relatives for Justice for inquires into the activities of others? Also the ministerial oath of office about encouraging co-operation with the police has no time clause either (see below)?
“We believe that the essential elements of support for law and order include endorsing fully the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the criminal justice system, actively encouraging everyone in the community to co-operate fully with the PSNI in tackling crime in all areas and actively supporting all the policing and criminal justice institutions, including the Policing Board.”