Clinton Flies In To Stormont Debate

The ongoing focus on devolving policing and justice powers to the Stormont Assembly moved up a gear today as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hold talks with Northern Ireland's political leaders in Belfast.

Her charm offensive is set to seal an historic deal on sharing responsibility for the justice system - something that has so far evaded the Executive - despite repeated efforts by Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister.

However, the lengthy talks last week are believed to have carved out a financial blueprint for the move and the

The American delegation will today discuss its continued political and economic support for the Irish peace process when Mrs Clinton meets First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

The US Secretary is making her seventh visit to Northern Ireland since she first arrived as First Lady with her husband President Bill Clinton to famously boost the fledgling search for peace in the 1990s.

As she arrived in Belfast last night, she threw her weight behind the efforts of the British and Irish governments to secure the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont.

"The step of devolution for policing and justice is an absolutely essential milestone," Mrs Clinton said.

Sinn Féin and the DUP have been engaged in a long running dispute over the timing of the move, though in the Autumn of last year they agreed an outline plan to deliver devolution.

Mrs Clinton said: "It will take the leaders of both communities working together to continue not only the devolution but then to make day-to-day governing a reality, and I'm confident that that is within reach."

The US Secretary of State spent time in London meeting Gordon Grown, before travelling to Dublin for a meeting with Brian Cowen yesterday, and then moved north overnight.

See: Weekend 'Reflection' On NI Policing Deal

(BMcC/GK)