Minister reinforces devolution deadline

The Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson has warned Northern Ireland politicians not to delay the devolution process.

The Minister was speaking after the 3rd Reading of the Justice and Security Bill in the House of Commons last night.

Mr Hanson emphasised that government ministers would not accept any attempts to delay devolution beyond the March 26 deadline imposed by the British and Irish governments, and added that if an Executive was not formed on March 26 then the local Assembly would be dissolved.

He said: "We have got to the point for local politicians where 'process' outside office must end and 'progress' in office can begin on 26 March 2007. No one should be in any doubt that the Executive must be formed on 26 March."

He continued: "That is the date set down in the St Andrews Agreement and that is the date in the St Andrews Act. It will not change and anyone who is basing their political strategy on pushing devolution beyond 26 March or trying to stop devolution altogether will find that they will be left behind.

"If the Executive is not formed on 26 March 2007, the Assembly will dissolve and the world will move on. After every thing that has been done to get us to this point it would be unthinkable to fail now."

Mr Hanson continued by saying that Northern Ireland's politicians from all sides have shown immense endurance, courage and leadership during the darkest days and added that they must not lose that endurance, courage and leadership now when it is needed most.

The Minister said: "The Northern Ireland of 2007 is not the Northern Ireland of 1977. We can move forward to the day when the devolution process is complete.

"That will come with the devolution of policing and justice powers. The Government has said that that should be achieved by May 2008."

He added: "All that has happened since the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis has reinforced our view that 'delivery' can and will be done by May 2008.

"Provided Sinn Fein continue to follow through on the clear commitment that they have given to support for policing and the courts - in the terms set out in paragraph six of the St Andrews Agreement and enshrined in the Ministerial Pledge of Office - then there is absolutely no reason why those powers will not be devolved in May 2008."

(EF)