25/08/2008
Policing Powers Crisis Looming?
There's a rising storm today on the still contentious issue of the devolution of justice and policing powers to the Stormont Executive.
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey (pictured) first lashed Sinn Fein for pledging to bring down the Assembly over the policing and justice issue.
He hit out after a TD in the Irish Republic vowed that his party would pull ministers out of Government in Stormont if no decision was taken to devolve powers.
Next, DUP MP and Junior Stormont Minister, Jeffrey Donaldson said that Sinn Féin must make it clear it wants to remain in devolved government in Northern Ireland at all.
Mr Donaldson said: "Do they want to stay in the Executive? If they do, let's meet and address these issues."
The heated debate began after Caoimhghin O Caolain, Sinn Fein Leader in the Irish parliament, said: "If we are forced to conclude that change will not be forthcoming from the Executive then we will have no option but to pull out our ministers and seek to put pressure where responsibility ultimately lies, which is on the British Government in London."
But Sir Reg later warned it would be disastrous if control was handed over - and accused Sinn Fein of trying to blackmail Ulster voters.
Transferring policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont has been one of the most contentious issues since devolution was restored to Northern Ireland.
(BMcC)
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey (pictured) first lashed Sinn Fein for pledging to bring down the Assembly over the policing and justice issue.
He hit out after a TD in the Irish Republic vowed that his party would pull ministers out of Government in Stormont if no decision was taken to devolve powers.
Next, DUP MP and Junior Stormont Minister, Jeffrey Donaldson said that Sinn Féin must make it clear it wants to remain in devolved government in Northern Ireland at all.
Mr Donaldson said: "Do they want to stay in the Executive? If they do, let's meet and address these issues."
The heated debate began after Caoimhghin O Caolain, Sinn Fein Leader in the Irish parliament, said: "If we are forced to conclude that change will not be forthcoming from the Executive then we will have no option but to pull out our ministers and seek to put pressure where responsibility ultimately lies, which is on the British Government in London."
But Sir Reg later warned it would be disastrous if control was handed over - and accused Sinn Fein of trying to blackmail Ulster voters.
Transferring policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont has been one of the most contentious issues since devolution was restored to Northern Ireland.
(BMcC)
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09 October 2007
Stormont Policing Powers In Focus
The contentious devolution of policing and criminal justice issue to the Stormont Assembly has been further highlighted during an Assembly debate. Ulster Unionist Assembly member David Burnside critisised Sinn Fein’s attitude to investigations into crimes involving IRA members, including the murder of Belfast father-of-two Robert McCartney in 2005.
Stormont Policing Powers In Focus
The contentious devolution of policing and criminal justice issue to the Stormont Assembly has been further highlighted during an Assembly debate. Ulster Unionist Assembly member David Burnside critisised Sinn Fein’s attitude to investigations into crimes involving IRA members, including the murder of Belfast father-of-two Robert McCartney in 2005.
04 November 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.
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.
28 August 2008
Stormont Devolution Talks To Halt 'Crisis'
Yet another crisis is looming next week as the two top Stormont parties - the DUP and Sinn Fein are set to hold crisis talks on policing and justice matters to try to avert what is being billed as the possible "fall of the devolved government".
Stormont Devolution Talks To Halt 'Crisis'
Yet another crisis is looming next week as the two top Stormont parties - the DUP and Sinn Fein are set to hold crisis talks on policing and justice matters to try to avert what is being billed as the possible "fall of the devolved government".
14 January 2010
Taoiseach In London For Policing Talks
The Irish premier, Brian Cowen (pictured) is due in London today to meet the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown over progress towards devolution of policing and justice powers in Northern Ireland.
Taoiseach In London For Policing Talks
The Irish premier, Brian Cowen (pictured) is due in London today to meet the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown over progress towards devolution of policing and justice powers in Northern Ireland.
15 October 2009
SDLP Sees 'No Deal' On Policing
Weeks of frantic shuttle diplomacy involving meetings in London, New York, Belfast and Dublin on a settlement for the devolution of policing and justice to Stormont have to date come to nothing. The SDLP Leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan said this afternoon "there is still no timeline" for any settlement.
SDLP Sees 'No Deal' On Policing
Weeks of frantic shuttle diplomacy involving meetings in London, New York, Belfast and Dublin on a settlement for the devolution of policing and justice to Stormont have to date come to nothing. The SDLP Leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan said this afternoon "there is still no timeline" for any settlement.
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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.