Stormont Policing Committee Sets Date

After months of contention, a powerful Stormont committee drawing up proposals on the devolution of policing and justice has agreed on the way ahead. Although at this stage it is only a five-week timetable for discussions, it will be seen as progress by many observers.

Sinn Féin's Alex Maskey succeeded in having the Assembly and Executive Review Committee passing a resolution on the timeframe by four votes to three, with unionists on the committee objecting to the timetable.

The issue revolves around the failure to devolve policing and justice powers which is a critical issue at the heart of Sinn Féin's refusal to hold Executive meetings - which is separately paralysing the work of the Stormont Assembly.

Mr Maskey, his party's policing spokesman, said he was keen to avoid any delay on the Committee's report on devolving the powers.

He had originally proposed a three-week timeframe, but agreed to alter it to accommodate the Halloween recess.

The move takes place against a pessimistic background and behind-the-scenes moves to kick start moves towards the Executive reconvening soon.

Last weekend, Ulster Unionist Leader Sir Reg Empey struck a bleak note and said the Stormont Executive might not meet before the end of this year.

He said that another meeting of the Executive is scheduled for tomorrow, but there is still no sign of an end to the standoff between the DUP and Sinn Féin.

However, just yesterday, things moved up a notch with the US Envoy Paula Dobriansky meeting parties at Stormont, primarily targeting the impasse.

Her visit was billed as a follow-up to the US investment conference in May, but was in fact expected to be more focused on urging an end to the stalemate.

The Bush administration has been urging that devolution of policing and justice takes place - backing the line coming out of London and Dublin.

Yesterday's 'agreement' that the Review Committee's discussions should be tied to a specific date - 18 November - will mean that progress has to be made.

See: US Envoy Targets Executive Stalemate

(BMcC)