Menu
04/11/2009
Dublin Appeals To DUP Over Justice
The Irish Republic's Foreign Affairs Minister has urged that policing and justice powers should be devolved from London without delay.
As two leading republicans head to New York this week to underline their commitment to taking the powers to the Stormont Assembly, the senior Irish Cabinet Minister Micheal Martin said that all elements of the Good Friday Agreement should be "respected and implemented".
He called on the Democratic Unionists (DUP) to finalise the devolution of policing and judiciary powers.
He told the Séanad that DUP demands for the dissolution of the Parades Commission could not be laid down as a prerequisite for progress in other areas.
He noted that a budget reportedly in the region of £1bn has been sanctioned by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to facilitate the transfer and Sinn Féin accepted the deal, and has continued to push for the establishment of a Stormont Policing and Justice department as soon as possible.
But, First Minister Peter Robinson, Leader of the DUP, has sought a number of reassurances before his party commits to the devolution.
He has insisted there must be confidence within the unionist community before a local Policing Minister is appointed.
Mr Robinson earlier told the House of Commons that issues over contentious parades must be dealt with before justice powers are handed over to the Assembly.
He said the abolition of the Parades Commission would "increase confidence in devolved policing and justice powers".
But, as he flew out this week to the USA, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams slammed the DUP leader's comments as "unacceptable".
Mr Adams and party colleague, Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister at the Stormont Assembly, will be the main speakers at the annual Friends of Sinn Féin dinner at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, New York, tonight (Wednesday).
They will be giving an update on the progress of the Peace Process and what they said are "mounting difficulties" in securing the transfer of Policing and Justice powers away from London.
(PR/BMcc)
As two leading republicans head to New York this week to underline their commitment to taking the powers to the Stormont Assembly, the senior Irish Cabinet Minister Micheal Martin said that all elements of the Good Friday Agreement should be "respected and implemented".
He called on the Democratic Unionists (DUP) to finalise the devolution of policing and judiciary powers.
He told the Séanad that DUP demands for the dissolution of the Parades Commission could not be laid down as a prerequisite for progress in other areas.
He noted that a budget reportedly in the region of £1bn has been sanctioned by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to facilitate the transfer and Sinn Féin accepted the deal, and has continued to push for the establishment of a Stormont Policing and Justice department as soon as possible.
But, First Minister Peter Robinson, Leader of the DUP, has sought a number of reassurances before his party commits to the devolution.
He has insisted there must be confidence within the unionist community before a local Policing Minister is appointed.
Mr Robinson earlier told the House of Commons that issues over contentious parades must be dealt with before justice powers are handed over to the Assembly.
He said the abolition of the Parades Commission would "increase confidence in devolved policing and justice powers".
But, as he flew out this week to the USA, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams slammed the DUP leader's comments as "unacceptable".
Mr Adams and party colleague, Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister at the Stormont Assembly, will be the main speakers at the annual Friends of Sinn Féin dinner at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, New York, tonight (Wednesday).
They will be giving an update on the progress of the Peace Process and what they said are "mounting difficulties" in securing the transfer of Policing and Justice powers away from London.
(PR/BMcc)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 April 2010
New Era Of NI Policing Begins
As the NI Policing Board welcomed devolution of the last powers to Stormont yesterday, the newly installed NI Justice Minister David Ford has said that his appointment heralds a new era.
New Era Of NI Policing Begins
As the NI Policing Board welcomed devolution of the last powers to Stormont yesterday, the newly installed NI Justice Minister David Ford has said that his appointment heralds a new era.
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.
05 March 2010
UUP MLAs Hold Justice Meeting
Ulster Unionist Assembly members will meet later to discuss their approach to the Hillsborough Castle Agreement. So far the party has refused to publicly support the accord. The devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Belfast has proved one of the most contentious issues to affect the Stormont government.
UUP MLAs Hold Justice Meeting
Ulster Unionist Assembly members will meet later to discuss their approach to the Hillsborough Castle Agreement. So far the party has refused to publicly support the accord. The devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Belfast has proved one of the most contentious issues to affect the Stormont government.
03 May 2007
Restorative justice schemes backed
The government should fund four loyalist restorative justice schemes, the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice has said. Kit Chivers, the Criminal Justice inspector has said there was no evidence the schemes were a front for paramilitary activity.
Restorative justice schemes backed
The government should fund four loyalist restorative justice schemes, the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice has said. Kit Chivers, the Criminal Justice inspector has said there was no evidence the schemes were a front for paramilitary activity.
17 October 2008
DUP Boss Meets Cowen In Dublin
The Irish Taoiseach is to meet First Minister, Peter Robinson, (pictured) and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in separate meetings in Dublin today. Brian Cowen will discuss the current impasse between the two leading parties, Sinn Féin and the DUP, over the devolution of policing and justice powers. The DUP Leader, Mr Robinson.
DUP Boss Meets Cowen In Dublin
The Irish Taoiseach is to meet First Minister, Peter Robinson, (pictured) and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in separate meetings in Dublin today. Brian Cowen will discuss the current impasse between the two leading parties, Sinn Féin and the DUP, over the devolution of policing and justice powers. The DUP Leader, Mr Robinson.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rather cloudy and mainly dry at first, but showery outbreaks of rain soon extending westwards to most places during the night, turning heavier towards morning. Light winds. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
