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Policing powers to be devolved to Stormont
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
enlargeA series of steps leading to the devolution of policing and justice powers was unveiled today.
The DUP-Sinn Fein agreement paves the way for the first Executive meeting in five months to take place this Thursday, after mounting and prolonged criticism across Northern Ireland society.
Under today’s agreement, the Assembly Committee dealing with the nuts and bolts of the transfer of policing and justice would ideally complete their work by January — including how the implementation will be financed and the ways in which the new Department of Justice will function.
Senior QC John Larkin — a professor of criminology and a Catholic who was born in west Belfast — would become Northern Ireland’s new Attorney General. He has represented the DUP in several cases.
The Justice Minister would — until May of 2012 — be elected under a cross-community vote in the Assembly requiring a majority of nationalists and unionists.
But the agreement also includes a sunset clause, involving a review of the arrangements to put a more permanent system in place. It would be unlikely that a Sinn Fein MLA could become Justice Minister until that date at the earliest.
Mr Robinson said he believed the agreement represented: “A very satisfactory resolution” of the most difficult issues which had been raised publically as concerns.
“We believe these agreements are capable of gaining the confidence of the community” he added.
Mr McMcGuinness said: “We believe the outworking of the agreements we have reached will allow the uninterrupted functioning of the Executive.”
On Thursday the first draft of a paper on financial hardship issues is to tabled.
A letter from First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness set out a sequence leading towards the spring of next year.
It included a number of annexes which included the sequence of action areas and a process involving legislation going through the Assembly.
Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness briefed the committee at Stormont this morning before making their letter public, clearing the way for the first meeting of the power-sharing Executive in five months this Thursday.
Mr Robinson said he and Mr McGuinness envisaged the devolution of powers taking place without due delay. The Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister added the agenda Thursday’s Executive meeting will be dominated by plans to tackle economic hardship.
The Assembly heard yesterday that around 60 papers are in a queue to be dealt with by Ministers at an Executive, including the abolition of prescription charges.
The meeting on Thursday is likely to agree a package of ‘feel-good’ measures, including a fuel poverty plan and a possible boost for the ailing construction industry.
The DUP leader and senior Sinn Fein negotiator have held a range of meetings with various sectors — including business and financial services chiefs, community leaders and civic society — and heard one consistent message: “the Executive must get back to business”.
Nonetheless, other issues which have led to government gridlock for 152 days — academic selection and school transfer, the future of the Maze national stadium, Irish language and rural planning — were not dealt with today.
In some cases, particularly in relation to the thorny area of the 11-plus, agreement still seems some considerable way off.
There had been speculation the entire issue could form part of a further review also including curriculum issues and the schools estate, with a shrinking pupil population.
The SDLP’s Alex Attwood, a member of the Executive, said there was now an opportunity to get a number of crucial questions dealt with.
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it was good to see the devolution of policing and justice powers are to be returned to stormont. i must congratulate the dup for
keeping to the plan that was agreed at st. andrews. and getting
a good deal for unionists.
Posted by james brown | 20.11.08, 12:13 GMT
Barry,
You would find that if the PUP were to rise to any kind of power in the assembly I would be just as opposed to them as SF/IRA. But they arent so theres no point talking about it really. The fact is I am not aware of any convicted terrorists within the DUP or UUP. are you?
It really is the same old nonsense from people when someone like myself speaks out against terrorists having any say in running the policing and justice of this country. You lot bang on about democracy and the electorate. surely as a member of the voting public I am just as entitled as anyone to voice my opinion against the current setup at stormont?
As a member of the voting public I am just as entitled to use my democratic right to vote against the current sham at stormont and continue to give my democratic opinion and vote to change this countries democracy. for the better, not the worse as some try to falsely claim
Posted by Gary | 19.11.08, 14:14 GMT
Stormont can’t even run what it has now so how can it be claimed that they, the politicians, can run the justice system without prejudice and political meddling? They need to prove not only to the Government but ultimately to the Ulster people that they can run the departments they have at the moment on behalf of us and not use them as political yoyo’s to get what they want.
The farce over the 11 plus proves that they are all jokes! Who on this planet scraps something that has worked, all be it controversially, then looks for an alternative? Anybody with half a brain cell would logically take this issue the other way round. “Find an alternative and then scrape the 11 plus” That last sentence was for “ANY” politician who may read this feed back to explain what I meant!
In my mind the politicians have not proved their ability to run Stormont/Ulster affairs for a full term. They need to do this before they are given any more powers.
Posted by Joe D | 18.11.08, 20:17 GMT
When did the Dup decide,that the Unionist people were ready to sign up to policing and justice. How many of the Dup leadership said,not in a political life time. Some of your posts condemn Gary,and say, he is living in the past. Its not a question of living in the past. The Dup made promises to the electorate,they have not been kept. Think you will find come election time,that people will not vote for a party,who say one thing,but when elected, do something different. David Trimble was crucified by the Dup, at lest he told the truth. The posts that condemned Gary, would just like to ask,how many of them has suffered at the hands of the IRA. Many,many people, on both sides of the divide, had to sit and watch,while the government through open the gates of the prisons, only to watch their loved ones murderers, walk out with smiles on the faces. Think its a step too far, too soon
Posted by UNIONCRUISER | 18.11.08, 19:49 GMT
Peace and love, peace and love.
Posted by Attilathehun | 18.11.08, 19:05 GMT
I notice that Gary and Mickey would never think of mentioning Mr. Robinson's less than glorious past in the Ulster Resistance, wearing a paramilitary uniform and when he and his baying mob of associates stormed the towns of Monaghan and Dundalk. Hardly the actions of a god fearing christian democrat. My point is that this man and the like in government on the unionist side aren't totally blameless for stirring up secterian hatred yet it seems that this is ok to you two. Yet you bang on about terrorists in government and how this doesnt sit well with you. Hypocritical eh?
Posted by Barry | 18.11.08, 16:39 GMT
Fred
Who has announced that the IRA no longer exists? Nobody I think you will find
their leadership is sitting comfortably in stormont and they will soon have their hands on policing and justice. They will soon have joint control over the policing and justice of this land
Our justice system and policing couldn't be in better hands eh?!!
Posted by Gary | 18.11.08, 16:04 GMT
Gary, a 'sell out to terrorists'? its people like you who are living in the past and need to realise the rest of the country have left you behind. A lot of people may not like SF in government but they were elected in democraticaly - surely the nationalist community have a right to government aswell? I've been a DUP voter for 10 years and Peter has his head screwed on. Incase you haven't realised, we are in a recession, our schools are in 11+ mayhem, and our construction industry is crippled. It's great to see the executive up and running and making decisions - afterall that's what we all voted them to do!
Posted by Paul | 18.11.08, 15:51 GMT
Yet another misleading headline from Belfast Telegraph - "Policing powers to be devolved within months" - yet it is a Justice department that is referred to in the story. "Months" is a bit of a stretch when referring to 2012..... no? Whats the point of that?
Posted by Gareth | 18.11.08, 15:35 GMT
Gary,
for God's sake, come out of your reinforced concrete bunker and celebrate peace with your neighbours, celebrate the beginning of the end of the hatred, of discrimination, of violence and terror, the beginning of loving thy neighbour and peace be with you ...
Instead of moping and moaning, why not do something constructive and positive? For a place with so many Christians, Northern Ireland has very little real Christianity on show...you use your faith to reinforce your vile prejudices
Well done the DUP for chosing the path of peace and righteousness, for they shall be well rewarded by the judgement of history. Blessed are the pacemakers....
Posted by Elija | 18.11.08, 15:22 GMT
Gary, do not think for one moment that the terrorists of IRA/SF will not be heavily monitored during any involvement in policing/justice.
It's all just part of helping IRA/SF legitimise our (theirs too) wee country.
Posted by mickey | 18.11.08, 15:13 GMT
Nice to see stormont sf being out-foxed by craftier foxes than they. Can’t wait to hear the spin sf will put on this debacle, of how they got what they wanted. Ah well, it takes you to have a good sense of humour listening to sf these days, if you’re a nationalist…
Posted by no longer fooled republican | 18.11.08, 15:07 GMT
Gary, I thought the IRA no longer existed. Are you an insider who knows things the general public doesn't.
Posted by Fred | 18.11.08, 15:05 GMT
It was excruciating to watch SF grovel to the unionist. I predicted that SF would get nothing. I was wrong. They got tons of eggs on their face. Nice one, lads and girls. You did the nationalist community great.
Posted by Billy for the Truth | 18.11.08, 15:01 GMT
No matter what the DUP say they will be unable to keep policing and justice out of the reach of SF/IRA.
They may try and put a good spin on this, but the reality is that the IRA will soon be having at least joint control over the policing and justice of this country.
This will be by far the biggest disgrace and sell out to terrorism of the entire "peace process". and all under the watch and control of the DUP.
shame on them
Posted by Gary | 18.11.08, 14:12 GMT