11/11/2009
Justice D'Hondt Selection Rejected
Northern Ireland's future Justice Minister will not be selected under current Assembly rules, MLAs decided last night.
An SDLP motion to implement the D'Hondt system was defeated during ten hours of debate on the devolution of policing and justice powers.
D'Hondt apportions ministerial portfolios to parties in accordance with their representation in the Assembly.
MLAs discussed the legal framework for the establishment of a local justice ministry throughout yesterday evening, however, a timescale for devolution was not decided.
A second SDLP motion for the institutions to be transfered by 7 December was also trounced.
"It's just, practically, not realistic at all," said the DUP's Simon Hamilton. "We will not be led by calendar dates."
Sinn Fein Junior Minister Gerry Kelly had earlier accused the DUP of attempting to turn the clock back, by attaching new preconditions to the process.
DUP leader, and First Minister, Peter Robinson previously called for the dissolution of the Parades Commission, which was followed by calls from Jeffrey Donaldson for the retention of the police full-time reserves.
Last night, PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott would not be drawn on the political wrangling concerning reservists, insisting his decision to push through the Patton report was purely based on operational factors.
Mr Baggott said the reserves should be phased out by 2011, despite opposition from the Police Federation, which represents officers across the UK.
Junior Minister Kelly accused the DUP of bowing to Unionist hard-liners the TUV, claiming the party had sent mixed signals.
"We have to put this in the context of Arlene Foster, a DUP minister, saying that none of these issues are an obstacle to the transfer of policing and justice," he said.
"We then have Peter Robinson saying that the parades issue is an obstacle and a precondition to it. Then yesterday we have a high profile DUP member Jeffrey Donaldson saying this.
"The full-time reserve is an extra demand which is trying to turn back a clock that is not going to be turned back."
(PR/KMcA)
An SDLP motion to implement the D'Hondt system was defeated during ten hours of debate on the devolution of policing and justice powers.
D'Hondt apportions ministerial portfolios to parties in accordance with their representation in the Assembly.
MLAs discussed the legal framework for the establishment of a local justice ministry throughout yesterday evening, however, a timescale for devolution was not decided.
A second SDLP motion for the institutions to be transfered by 7 December was also trounced.
"It's just, practically, not realistic at all," said the DUP's Simon Hamilton. "We will not be led by calendar dates."
Sinn Fein Junior Minister Gerry Kelly had earlier accused the DUP of attempting to turn the clock back, by attaching new preconditions to the process.
DUP leader, and First Minister, Peter Robinson previously called for the dissolution of the Parades Commission, which was followed by calls from Jeffrey Donaldson for the retention of the police full-time reserves.
Last night, PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott would not be drawn on the political wrangling concerning reservists, insisting his decision to push through the Patton report was purely based on operational factors.
Mr Baggott said the reserves should be phased out by 2011, despite opposition from the Police Federation, which represents officers across the UK.
Junior Minister Kelly accused the DUP of bowing to Unionist hard-liners the TUV, claiming the party had sent mixed signals.
"We have to put this in the context of Arlene Foster, a DUP minister, saying that none of these issues are an obstacle to the transfer of policing and justice," he said.
"We then have Peter Robinson saying that the parades issue is an obstacle and a precondition to it. Then yesterday we have a high profile DUP member Jeffrey Donaldson saying this.
"The full-time reserve is an extra demand which is trying to turn back a clock that is not going to be turned back."
(PR/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 December 2015
Arlene Foster Nominated To Be New DUP Leader
Arlene Foster has been nominated to be the new DUP leader after Peter Robinson announced in November he is to step down. DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds has also confirmed he will not put his name forward for the position as he is not a member of the Stormont Assembly.
Arlene Foster Nominated To Be New DUP Leader
Arlene Foster has been nominated to be the new DUP leader after Peter Robinson announced in November he is to step down. DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds has also confirmed he will not put his name forward for the position as he is not a member of the Stormont Assembly.
15 September 2014
Funeral Of Ian Paisley To Be Held
The funeral of Ian Paisley is to be held today in County Down, following a private funeral service at his home in East Belfast. The former DUP leader and First Minister died on Friday, aged 88.
Funeral Of Ian Paisley To Be Held
The funeral of Ian Paisley is to be held today in County Down, following a private funeral service at his home in East Belfast. The former DUP leader and First Minister died on Friday, aged 88.
22 June 2011
Keep Calm, Keep The Peace, Says Council
A united call for calm and a commitment to engage and listen to all communities affected by recent unrest in east Belfast has come from the leaders of all political parties on Belfast City Council.
Keep Calm, Keep The Peace, Says Council
A united call for calm and a commitment to engage and listen to all communities affected by recent unrest in east Belfast has come from the leaders of all political parties on Belfast City Council.
29 November 2004
Historic meeting between Adams and Orde is 'useful'
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has described the first ever face-to-face meeting between the Sinn Féin leadership and the Chief Constable of the Police Service for Northern Ireland as "useful".
Historic meeting between Adams and Orde is 'useful'
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has described the first ever face-to-face meeting between the Sinn Féin leadership and the Chief Constable of the Police Service for Northern Ireland as "useful".
01 August 2012
First DUP Politician Attends Pride Event
The current mayor of Belfast has become the first DUP politician to attend a gay pride event. Gavin Robinson took part in a discussion event called Belfast Pride Talks Back yesterday evening. He said he accepted the invitation because he wanted to "engage with every section of our community".
First DUP Politician Attends Pride Event
The current mayor of Belfast has become the first DUP politician to attend a gay pride event. Gavin Robinson took part in a discussion event called Belfast Pride Talks Back yesterday evening. He said he accepted the invitation because he wanted to "engage with every section of our community".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.