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22/03/2010
MPs To Back Justice Deal
Westminster Parliamentarians are expected to formally back the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly today.
MPs are widely predicted to support the Parliamentary orders which will see a Stormont Justice Department established by 12 April.
It is anticipated Labour and the Tory party will endorse the transfer of responsibilities, following months of wrangling between the province's political leaders.
The Commons debate could shed more light on why the Ulster Unionist Party decided to vote against further devolution.
Assembly members voted overwhelmingly in favour of setting up a local policing and justice ministry.
All but three of Stormont's 108 MLAs cast a vote in the motion. Eighty-eight Assembly Members supported the move, with 17 voting against.
UUP members said they could not endorse the Hillsborough Castle Agreement, which laid the foundations for a new Justice Minister.
The party cited its disgruntlement at outstanding issues affecting the Northern Ireland Executive.
Intensified negotiations between the DUP and Sinn Fein in February took place under a cloud of doubts over the stability of the Stormont Government.
Continued stalemate over the devolution of policing and justice had threatened to collapse the institutions.
First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will now preside over the appointment of a justice minister.
Whoever receives the ministerial portfolio will have to gain cross community support.
(PR/BMcC)
MPs are widely predicted to support the Parliamentary orders which will see a Stormont Justice Department established by 12 April.
It is anticipated Labour and the Tory party will endorse the transfer of responsibilities, following months of wrangling between the province's political leaders.
The Commons debate could shed more light on why the Ulster Unionist Party decided to vote against further devolution.
Assembly members voted overwhelmingly in favour of setting up a local policing and justice ministry.
All but three of Stormont's 108 MLAs cast a vote in the motion. Eighty-eight Assembly Members supported the move, with 17 voting against.
UUP members said they could not endorse the Hillsborough Castle Agreement, which laid the foundations for a new Justice Minister.
The party cited its disgruntlement at outstanding issues affecting the Northern Ireland Executive.
Intensified negotiations between the DUP and Sinn Fein in February took place under a cloud of doubts over the stability of the Stormont Government.
Continued stalemate over the devolution of policing and justice had threatened to collapse the institutions.
First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will now preside over the appointment of a justice minister.
Whoever receives the ministerial portfolio will have to gain cross community support.
(PR/BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
