13 February 2009

Westminster Brings Policing And Justice Transfer Closer

Westminster is set to introduce the necessary laws to allow the rapid transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.

The Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, has given notice of the Government's intention to introduce the required legislation later this month which will enable the Northern Ireland Assembly to accept the new powers at an agreed date.

Mr Woodward said: "We gave a commitment at St Andrews to ensure that when the parties in Northern Ireland were ready to complete devolution with the transfer of policing and criminal justice powers from me as Secretary of State to a locally accountable Minister, the necessary legislation to allow that to happen would be in place.

"The legislation which will be introduced on February 23 and have its Second Reading on March 4 fulfils that commitment and maintains the momentum towards the completion of devolution that was signalled by the agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein on November 18," he said.

"The Bill deals with technical points which will allow the Assembly to move to the next stage of completing devolution," continued Mr Woodward.

"The route map published by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister last November included Westminster legislation to give effect to those elements of the process that required primary legislation.

"It provides one more model for a Justice Department, reflecting the views of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive Review Committee and deals with the appointment of judges.

"It represents a vital building block in the devolution process which will be followed through when the parties agree a date," he said.

(BMcC/JM)