03/10/2005
Devolution needed sooner rather than later - Hain
Secretary of State Peter Hain has said that devolution is essential if the political process is to move forward sooner rather than later.
Mr Hain, who made his comments during an interview for the BBC Politics Show on Sunday, said that although he didn't think it would be in weeks, he said a return of devolution couldn't wait years.
"It’s got to come sooner rather than later and I’ll be working flat out in the coming months, especially after the reports of the Independent Monitoring Commission, one expected in a few weeks time, but then crucially the one in January," Mr Hain said.
"If that gives a clean bill of health to the implementation of the IRA’s promises, the implementation that they promised at the end of July to end all their paramilitary and criminal activity - and I don’t just mean bombs and bullets, I mean the punishment beatings, the intelligence gathering, the targeting and so on."
However, the DUP MP for North Belfast Nigel Dodd's said Mr Hain needed to realise that "the mere absence of activity, whether terrorist or criminal, does not in itself qualify any organisation for government".
"Unless there is unequivocal evidence of the dismantling of the criminal structures and the disbandment of the terrorist machine, the fact that the Provos keep quiet for a few months will not convince unionism to admit Sinn Fein into government," Mr Dodd's said.
The DUP are set for talks with the Government at Downing Street later this week, however the party is believed to have forwarded a 50-page document detailing confidence-building measures ahead of the meeting.
(MB/SP)
Mr Hain, who made his comments during an interview for the BBC Politics Show on Sunday, said that although he didn't think it would be in weeks, he said a return of devolution couldn't wait years.
"It’s got to come sooner rather than later and I’ll be working flat out in the coming months, especially after the reports of the Independent Monitoring Commission, one expected in a few weeks time, but then crucially the one in January," Mr Hain said.
"If that gives a clean bill of health to the implementation of the IRA’s promises, the implementation that they promised at the end of July to end all their paramilitary and criminal activity - and I don’t just mean bombs and bullets, I mean the punishment beatings, the intelligence gathering, the targeting and so on."
However, the DUP MP for North Belfast Nigel Dodd's said Mr Hain needed to realise that "the mere absence of activity, whether terrorist or criminal, does not in itself qualify any organisation for government".
"Unless there is unequivocal evidence of the dismantling of the criminal structures and the disbandment of the terrorist machine, the fact that the Provos keep quiet for a few months will not convince unionism to admit Sinn Fein into government," Mr Dodd's said.
The DUP are set for talks with the Government at Downing Street later this week, however the party is believed to have forwarded a 50-page document detailing confidence-building measures ahead of the meeting.
(MB/SP)
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Secretary of State Peter Hain has given an "absolute assurance" that community restorative justice schemes will not become an alternative to policing. Speaking after a meeting with the Policing Board in Belfast on Tuesday Mr Hain said he wanted to "nail the rumour" that community restorative justice was some kind of alternative to policing".
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Secretary of State Peter Hain has described the latest report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) as "positive". Commenting on the IMC report, the first since the PIRA announced it was standing down, Mr Hain said: "The IRA is moving in the right direction: no murders, no recruitment, no bank robberies.
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Former UDA chief refused bail
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Former UDA chief refused bail
Former east Belfast UDA chief Jim Gray has been refused bail in the High Court over fears that he could flee the country if released. The 47-year-old, who is charged with possessing and concealing criminal property and money laundering and denies the charges, was arrested near Banbridge in Co Down on 7 April along with his girlfriend Sharon Moss.
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Two due in court over city burglaries
Two men are due to appear at Belfast Magistrates court later today charged in connection with a number of burglaries and criminal damage in the south Belfast area over the last two-months.
Two due in court over city burglaries
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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.