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Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007

It is important when looking at the effectiveness of an office that we use independent survey material as well as anecdotal material that others may use. The noble Lord, Lord Maginnis, has one view; I have another. It is entirely appropriate that we are having this debate. It will not end here. As I said at the beginning of this discussion, policing in Northern Ireland remains, and will remain for a very long time, a highly sensitive and emotive issue. We all recognise the history, but part of the responsibility that we all have is to try to move this issue forward in a way that is helpful to the people of Northern Ireland. In doing that, I recognise that there will be real differences in the way that we interpret factual information. I do not in any way dispute that. This kind of discussion is part of the nature of our democracy.