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MI5 to take over security intelligence in Northern Ireland

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, Feb 24, IRNA -- Britain`s MI5 is to take charge of national 
security intelligence work in Northern Ireland, Secretary of State 
Paul Murphy announced Thursday. 
The move is to take effect in 2007 and will mean assuming the lead 
responsibility from the recently re-titled Police Service of Northern 
Ireland. It will also fall in line with the rest of the UK as part of 
the Government`s response to international terrorism. 
"Sharing of intelligence on a cross-border and international basis 
will be particularly important in combating money laundering and other
aspects of organized crime, Murphy said in making the announcement in 
a written parliamentary statement. 
He said that MI5 would continue to work in partnership with the 
police service in Northern Ireland, whose role will be limited to 
operational response in countering terrorism. 
Britain`s Northern Ireland Secretary added that the powers of the 
overseeing policing board watchdog and the office of police ombudsman 
Nuala O`Loan will not be affected by the change. 
The announcement comes after the head of MI5, Eliza Manningham 
Buller, has admitted in January that British intelligence agents had 
been bugging the offices of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and other 
top officials in his party. 
The admission, which was thought to be the first of its kind, came 
after a 1.5 meter bug was found last September hidden in a floor joist
at the party`s headquarters in Belfast. 
Concerns, including from Amnesty International, have previous 
been expressed about the lack of accountability of covert operations 
in Northern Ireland, where MI5 had no separate mandate in its 
cooperation with the police. 
HC/1405/1412