OVER the last few weeks there have been intense discussions between the British and Irish Governments, and the political parties in Northern Ireland on police reform in Northern Ireland.

Given the recent tensions, the issue of policing has now become a political pawn, one that could ultimately bring down the power-sharing Government in Northern Ireland.

Police reform is an important part of the Belfast Agreement. While we must honour those who have courageously policed Northern Ireland and fought to uphold the rule of law, the case for police reform is clear.

The RUC is not representative: Catholics make up more than 40pc of the population in Northern Ireland, but the RUC is 93pc Protestant. One community see the police as being 'theirs', but the other treats the police with distrust.

Furthermore, policing requirements in a peaceful community significantly differ from that of a force established to combat terrorism. Policing should be about trust and inclusiveness, areas in which the RUC has failed to achieve.

For a new beginning in policing to occur it is vital that the Government and the political parties concentrate on policing issues and the recommendations drawn up by Chris Patten, who headed the independent commission on policing for Northern Ireland.

Worryingly, it now seems the Policing Bill has become caught up in the wider issue of unionist politics, putting pressure on the Government to make short term political decisions rather then concentrating on the police reforms set out in the Patten Report.

The Government has made it clear from the beginning that they are open to accept any improvements to the Bill which gives the political parties in Northern Ireland the opportunity to work together and pass a Bill that meets the terms set out in the Agreement.

If it does not happen, what will have been achieved? What would be the point of passing legislation that does not encourage Catholics to apply to the new police service?

If we are unable to achieve this, then a unique opportunity will pass by. It is up to the politicians of Northern Ireland to grasp this opportunity and ensure the creation of a representative police service that everyone can trust. A police service that all communities can endorse.

After all, a new beginning in policing is what the people of Northern Ireland voted for when the Belfast Agreement was endorsed.