Plan in place to meet St Andrew's deadline

Local & National

Saturday, December 30, 2006

By Noel McAdam

Secretary of State Peter Hain could directly appoint a Justice Minister, and Deputy, if politicians fail to hammer out a deal on policing.

A letter sent to Stormont's policing and justice sub-group said the Government is prepared to take "any necessary steps" to ensure the St Andrews devolution timetable is adhered to.

The letter, obtained by the Belfast Telegraph, could bolster Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams' attempts to persuade his party's national conference to back policing by earmarking the devolution of policing for "not later" than May 2008 - the target date set out in the St Andrews' blueprint.

Mr Adams has made clear he needs the certainty of a date for policing powers to be devolved, while the DUP has insisted it will depend on the level of unionist confidence at the time.

Under the Government model, at least before the transfer of powers takes place, the Ministerial positions would effectively fall to Ulster Unionists and the SDLP until replaced by an elected Minister.

By March 27, the newly-elected Assembly is to appoint a Justice Minister and Deputy and then agree a motion necessary to set in process the devolution of justice functions. But the Hain model continued: "If there was no successful election within the timeframe set out at St Andrews, the Government would take any necessary steps to ensure that the timescale for devolution was not delayed.

"This includes the appointment of a Justice Minister and, to ensure cross-community representation, a Deputy Justice Minister."

Mr Hain said he hoped the sub- group comprised of the four main parties, due to meet again next week, could reach agreement.

But he added: "If that agreement cannot be achieved, however, the model as described... is the basis on which I will legislate to provide a means of selecting ministers..."

The Northern Ireland Office last night said that "contingencies" had to be built in but, with the parties on the brink of a breakthrough on policing, emphasised it believed its model will work.

Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey warned, however, the model meant a Sinn Fein Justice Minister could be in place before March of 2008.

And he argued Mr Hain had "thumbed his nose" at DUP claims to have a "triple lock" in place to prevent the devolution of policing and justice without unionist consent.