Policing remains a key issue in Northern Ireland, and it is absolutely crucial to the stability of this province.

There are, of course, many other issues which require priority treatment and urgent attention, not least the need for more money and resources in the health, education, environment, transport and housing areas.

But policing is always near the top of the agenda, because a society in which lawlessness is prevalent faces greater difficulties than those in settled societies.

Northern Ireland has a huge organised crime problem. It has a very serious drugs problem, and there is great concern over the number of murders and the increase in violence.

Hardly a week goes by without news of at least one murder, a crime which was a rare event in Northern Ireland in the years before the Troubles.

Add to that the large number of cases in which senior citizens have been burgled and even assaulted in their homes, and no-one can deny the urgency of the problem.

How, in such circumstances, can one of the leading political parties in Northern Ireland continue to withhold support for the Police Service?

Sinn Fein continues to refuse to sign up to policing, and yet that party expects to be involved in the governing of this country if the Assembly gets up and working.

A great lot is said by republicans about the need for Unionists to share power, but Sinn Fein steadfastly refuses to give its backing to the police officers who protect the public. This, in spite of the fact that the 'reforms' implemented under Patton include the axing of the Royal Ulster Constabulary which served this province so well.

The destruction of the RUC brought with it the loss of a huge number of experienced police officers, and the fallout from that is experienced every day on the streets of this country.

The iniquitous recruitment policy has discriminated against young Protestant men and women seeking to make their career in policing.

There is no other reason for giving such excellent potential police officers the thumbs down, and the most frustrating factor is that a large proportion of these people have been welcomed with open arms by police forces on mainland Britain.

Where else in the European Community, or indeed in the Western World would people with all the qualifications needed be rejected for a police force because of their Protestant religion? Answers please on a postage stamp!

It is time to right this great wrong, remove the loathsome religious discrimination barrier, and recruit the best people for the job, irrespective of their religion.

Northern Ireland needs the best when it comes to policing, and it urgently needs an increase in numerical strength of the Police Service.

Time and time again the explanation for alleged lack of policing is given by those in authority as "We do not have the manpower". The same reason is given for the closure of police stations in towns and villages which have been a reassuring presence for generations.

It is time for a realistic attitude to policing, and Unionist politicians must continue to put the spotlight on this issue - a top priority item in Northern Ireland.