Menu
25/02/2008
Donaldson Rules Out Policing Powers In May
As expected, Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party has ruled out the devolution of policing and justice powers within the proposed 10-week timescale.
The party's Jeffrey Donaldson – who has chaired a Stormont committee that has looked at the issue for the past seven months - said that the May target date, set in the St Andrew's Agreement, wasn't now likely.
In an interview for the BBC’s Politics Show, Mr Donaldson said the DUP would not be rushed.
"It is a question of ensuring there is adequate public confidence that the Assembly is ready to take on these powers," said Mr Donaldson at the weekend.
While Sinn Fein criticised the DUP's stance - saying there is no reason why the May deadline cannot be met - he said there also has to be political agreement on it.
"I don't think any of these things are in place," he said during the programme.
The government recently put fresh pressure on party leader, Ian Paisley to agree to devolve policing and justice powers to the Stormont Executive.
Both London and Dublin wanted 'the final piece of the devolution jigsaw' to be completed by May.
Speaking in Belfast last month, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward urged a change of heart.
He said he hoped that sooner rather than later local politicians "will embrace the final part of devolution".
Mr Woodward said real leadership would enable the Executive "to get on with actually running policing and criminal justice for themselves."
However, responding to the earlier call for action by PM Gordon Brown and Irish leader, Bertie Ahern, Mr Paisley last month told the Stormont MLAs that as First Minister he had "absolutely no intention" of bringing such a proposal to the Assembly.
(BMcC)
The party's Jeffrey Donaldson – who has chaired a Stormont committee that has looked at the issue for the past seven months - said that the May target date, set in the St Andrew's Agreement, wasn't now likely.
In an interview for the BBC’s Politics Show, Mr Donaldson said the DUP would not be rushed.
"It is a question of ensuring there is adequate public confidence that the Assembly is ready to take on these powers," said Mr Donaldson at the weekend.
While Sinn Fein criticised the DUP's stance - saying there is no reason why the May deadline cannot be met - he said there also has to be political agreement on it.
"I don't think any of these things are in place," he said during the programme.
The government recently put fresh pressure on party leader, Ian Paisley to agree to devolve policing and justice powers to the Stormont Executive.
Both London and Dublin wanted 'the final piece of the devolution jigsaw' to be completed by May.
Speaking in Belfast last month, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward urged a change of heart.
He said he hoped that sooner rather than later local politicians "will embrace the final part of devolution".
Mr Woodward said real leadership would enable the Executive "to get on with actually running policing and criminal justice for themselves."
However, responding to the earlier call for action by PM Gordon Brown and Irish leader, Bertie Ahern, Mr Paisley last month told the Stormont MLAs that as First Minister he had "absolutely no intention" of bringing such a proposal to the Assembly.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 November 2001
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.
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.
12 October 2004
DPP support reinforces police work: Murphy
The new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland have been reinforced by the creation of District Policing Partnerships and enhanced by the calibre of the men and women who serve on them, Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said.
DPP support reinforces police work: Murphy
The new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland have been reinforced by the creation of District Policing Partnerships and enhanced by the calibre of the men and women who serve on them, Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said.
11 February 2008
DUP Says No To 'Powers' Devolution
There can be no transfer of policing and justice powers to the Assembly while the IRA Army Council exists, the two most senior Democratic Unionists have insisted.
DUP Says No To 'Powers' Devolution
There can be no transfer of policing and justice powers to the Assembly while the IRA Army Council exists, the two most senior Democratic Unionists have insisted.
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.
08 January 2008
Local Policing Powers Target Date Recedes
While Unionists have insisted the IRA Army Council would have to be completely disbanded before enough confidence exists for the proposed devolution of policing and justice powers, the issue is being discussed at high level today.
Local Policing Powers Target Date Recedes
While Unionists have insisted the IRA Army Council would have to be completely disbanded before enough confidence exists for the proposed devolution of policing and justice powers, the issue is being discussed at high level today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
