Menu
26/10/2009
Ford Hits Back At Justice Jibe
David Ford has rejected the accusation that a future Alliance Justice Minister would act as an Executive 'puppet'.
Mr Ford (pictured) was responding to criticisms from the Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey, who suggested his party would block any Sinn Fein and DUP move to appoint a minister without all-party agreement.
Sir Reg insisted the Justice Minister should be selected under the terms of the D'hondt system, which currently allocates ministerial portfolios under party size at the Assembly.
Mr Ford said his cross-community party would not accept the post unless it had "full ministerial duties and responsibilities".
He said Alliance would not provide a "second class minister", and that Westminster law had secured full ministerial powers.
"Although it is hard to take the Ulster Unionist claims seriously, I am prepared for talks on justice at any time if they are genuine," added Mr Ford.
Sir Reg has continued to insist any moves on local police and justice devolution would only make provisions for 18 month, which he dubbed a "sunset agreement".
"In another 18 months time we are going to have another hullaballoo about policing and justice," said the UUP leader.
He questioned whether the powers would revert back to the First and Deputy First Ministers after this period.
(PR/KMcA)
Mr Ford (pictured) was responding to criticisms from the Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey, who suggested his party would block any Sinn Fein and DUP move to appoint a minister without all-party agreement.
Sir Reg insisted the Justice Minister should be selected under the terms of the D'hondt system, which currently allocates ministerial portfolios under party size at the Assembly.
Mr Ford said his cross-community party would not accept the post unless it had "full ministerial duties and responsibilities".
He said Alliance would not provide a "second class minister", and that Westminster law had secured full ministerial powers.
"Although it is hard to take the Ulster Unionist claims seriously, I am prepared for talks on justice at any time if they are genuine," added Mr Ford.
Sir Reg has continued to insist any moves on local police and justice devolution would only make provisions for 18 month, which he dubbed a "sunset agreement".
"In another 18 months time we are going to have another hullaballoo about policing and justice," said the UUP leader.
He questioned whether the powers would revert back to the First and Deputy First Ministers after this period.
(PR/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 July 2011
Court Penalties Are 'Not Fine', Says Ford
The NI Justice Minister David Ford has today published for consultation proposals to tackle the problem of fine default. Motorists who refuse to pay their court fines could have their vehicles seized, clamped or have their licence endorsed under proposals put out to the public.
Court Penalties Are 'Not Fine', Says Ford
The NI Justice Minister David Ford has today published for consultation proposals to tackle the problem of fine default. Motorists who refuse to pay their court fines could have their vehicles seized, clamped or have their licence endorsed under proposals put out to the public.
18 July 2014
OTR Report 'First Step In Rebuilding Justice System'
Justice Minister David Ford has said the findings of a report on the so-called 'On the Run' letters are the first steps in rebuilding confidence in the justice system. Lady Justice Hallett has completed a review, ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron, on the so-called 'On the Run' letters.
OTR Report 'First Step In Rebuilding Justice System'
Justice Minister David Ford has said the findings of a report on the so-called 'On the Run' letters are the first steps in rebuilding confidence in the justice system. Lady Justice Hallett has completed a review, ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron, on the so-called 'On the Run' letters.
21 June 2005
Forensic scientist to be called in to find 'disappeared'
Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell has said that the Irish and British government's will bring in a forensic scientist to assist with a renewed effort to find the five undiscovered bodies of the disappeared.
Forensic scientist to be called in to find 'disappeared'
Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell has said that the Irish and British government's will bring in a forensic scientist to assist with a renewed effort to find the five undiscovered bodies of the disappeared.
29 November 2004
Drive launched to clear roads of 'run-arounds'
Lord Mayor of Belfast Tom Ekin and Criminal Justice Minister John Spellar have joined forces to launch Operation Clean Up, a long-term initiative to remove hundreds of untaxed and so-called ‘run-around’ vehicles from the city’s streets.
Drive launched to clear roads of 'run-arounds'
Lord Mayor of Belfast Tom Ekin and Criminal Justice Minister John Spellar have joined forces to launch Operation Clean Up, a long-term initiative to remove hundreds of untaxed and so-called ‘run-around’ vehicles from the city’s streets.
15 December 2011
Women Left 'Shaken' After Shooting
The PSNI are today probing an overnight shooting in Co Londonderry. The incident was at Hawthorne Place in Coleraine and saw three masked men entering a house shortly before 5pm on Wednesday and then firing a shot into a wall in the property before the three made off.
Women Left 'Shaken' After Shooting
The PSNI are today probing an overnight shooting in Co Londonderry. The incident was at Hawthorne Place in Coleraine and saw three masked men entering a house shortly before 5pm on Wednesday and then firing a shot into a wall in the property before the three made off.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with some late sunshine to end the day. Clear spells through the first part of the night but low cloud feeding in from the north later giving some mist or fog patches. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
