Hain warns parties not to let progress slip away

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain has warned local politicians not to let devolution slip through their fingers because of the recent dispute over the transfer of policing and justice powers.

Mr Hain urged both Sinn Fein and the DUP to concentrate on what is to be gained by the restoration of an all-party power-sharing assembly and added that if progress is not made soon, then the March election could be scrapped and the prospect of a devolved government could be put on hold for many years.

The Secretary of State said: “For the first time in Northern Ireland's history, everybody is saying they are willing to share power with each other and, for the first time, everybody is saying they're willing to support the police.

"If those seeking to derail the process - either dissenting republicans or dissenting unionists - get their way, Northern Ireland will miss this historic opportunity.

"When I say miss, I mean it, as there will be no question of there being an election or the restoration of an executive or Assembly on March 26.”

Since the beginning of the process, the DUP has insisted that Sinn Fein must pledge their support to the PSNI before they will enter into government with them.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein said that the DUP must agree to a date of transfer of policing and justice powers before they proceed with the process.

However, last week, Sinn Fein agreed to hold a party conference at the end of January to make a decision on the policing issue after over two-thirds of the party voted in favour of it taking place, but this would depend on whether they received a positive response from the DUP and both the British and Irish governments.

This failed to materialise and instead, DUP leader, Ian Paisley blamed Sinn Fein for delaying the process in his New Year's message.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tony Blair, who cut his holiday to the USA short to return to the UK to deal with the Northern Ireland political process, said that if progress is not made, then the March election could be in doubt.

(EF)