There is one important, nay vital, part of the devolution jigsaw still to be achieved. It is the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont. No administration, such as the power-sharing Executive here, can truly argue that it is master of its own destiny if it cannot influence or legislate how the justice system can work in its entirety.

In an exclusive interview carried in this newspaper today, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness argues the case why the powers should be transferred by Christmas this year at the latest.

Quite frankly his argument is compelling. Unionist parties have crossed their political Rubicon — sharing power with republicans, never mind nationalists — for some time now. Between them the DUP, Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Ulster Unionists now control most aspects of daily life here.

Given the violent backdrop which preceded power-sharing it is understandable that the devo lution of policing and justice would be controversial, especially since Sinn Fein was in line to provide the minister in control of the new department. However, that particular problem has been overcome. When the powers are transferred they will be in the hands of Alliance leader David Ford.

So what are the obstacles? Two, according to Mr McGuinness. The success of the Traditional Unionist Voice led by former DUP heavyweight Jim Allister in two recent votes – the Dromore by-election and the European poll – has spooked his former colleagues. Mr

Allister has shown there is a hardline unionist bloc which opposes the current power-sharing arrangements. Mr McGuinness’s argument is that this bloc is diminishing.

The other obstacle is the Ulster Unionist Party’s alliance with the TUV. It is no secret that the UUP, once the province’s dominant unionist voice, bears ill-will towards the DUP for its part in bringing down the previous power-sharing Executive.

The current administration is a curious body. It contains parties with polar opposite political views

and parties which are fighting each other to be the dominant voices within their own communities. Yet, in all its imperfections, it is the best hope of political stability.

Now it must take the final step, not for the aggrandisement of any political party but for the good of all the people of Northern Ireland.

The province has a new Chief Constable. He was recruited unanimously by nationalist, republican and unionist politicians among others. It would now make sense for him to be able to work with those same politicians in a framework devised at local level. Nationalist and unionist politicians serve on the Policing Board; they sit on lower level district policing partnerships; it is high time they took executive decisions about policing and justice.

The Government at Westminster will fund the transfer of powers, but its patience on the issue is wearing thin.

So is the patience of people here.