Secretary of State positive over political process

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain, has today said that the Programme for Government Committee in Northern Ireland will be able to resolve differences over policing and justice.

The announcement followed yesterday's meeting in London, when MPs studied the St Andrew's Agreement.

During the meeting, concerns arose over the ongoing dispute between the DUP and Sinn Fein over policing issues.

The DUP will not sign up to the agreement until Sinn Fein openly support the PSNI, while Sinn Fein will not sign up until the DUP agree to a date for the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.

Commenting on the matter, the Secretary of State said that there is still time to resolve the matter, however he added that it is a matter that must be resolved.

An emergency legislation, which is being rushed through Parliament over the next week, is understood to contain an oath which would compel power sharing ministers next March to support the police and uphold the rule of law.

However the DUP are still unconvinced that Sinn Fein will change their policy.

The British and Irish governments originally planned for the Shadow First and Deputy First Ministers to be appointed on November 24, to correspond with the devolution deadline, however it is now likely that this could be put back until March 26, if everything goes according to plan.

(EF/KMcA)