Devolution of powers on policing and justice set for 2003

The British Government has published an intensive implementation plan to enable the transfer of powers responsible for policing and justice in Northern Ireland from Westminster to Stormont by May 2003.

The date is part of a draft Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill and an Implementation Plan to take forward the recommendations of the body tasked to carry out a review of the criminal justice system. This Implementation Plan now provides a more detailed response to the Review’s 294 recommendations, and sets out the actions the Government and the criminal justice agencies intend to take to put them into practice.

However the government’s response states that devolution will only follow after careful consideration of the security situation.

Announcing the publication of the Government’s response, Des Browne, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, said: “Today marks another key step in implementing the Good Friday Agreement. As one of the cornerstones of the Agreement, the review of criminal justice will deliver a modern, progressive and forward-looking system of justice for the people of Northern Ireland.

“We welcomed the Review Group's report when it was published in March last year. Our response shows that we intend to implement the vast bulk of its recommendations in full.

“I am confident that the Review will put human rights, respect for victims and other fundamental principles - such as fairness, impartiality, transparency and accountability – at the heart of the new criminal justice system.”

The Secretary of State, whose response is contained within the Implementation Plan said: “I believe that this Implementation Plan provides a firm basis for taking forward the recommendations of the Review of the Criminal Justice System.

“Once the devolved institutions are working effectively, the Government intend to devolve responsibility for policing and justice functions, as set out in the Belfast Agreement. We need first to take some major steps to implement the Criminal Justice Review and to make some more progress on detailed implementation of the Patten report. A final decision to devolve these functions can only be taken at the time taking account of security and other relevant considerations. But the Government’s target is to devolve policing and justice after the Assembly elections scheduled for May 2003.” (AMcE)