Devolution of Policing & Justice to Northern Ireland

The devolution of policing and justice has always been a contentious issue between political parties in Northern Ireland, back in 1999 when power over matters such as Education, Health and Agriculture were devolved to the N.I Assembly, policing and justice was shelved until a later day. Well that day has arrived and last week Prime Minister Gordon Brown unveiled a proposed budget to Northern Ireland’s first and deputy first minister’s, Gordon Brown said his Billion-pound offer to complete devolution in Northern Ireland would secure peace and prosperity in the region but the two main political parties are feeling far from peaceful and prosperous.

Deputy first minister Martin McGuiness said the devolution of policing and justice was achievable by Christmas, his counterpart in the OFMDFM Peter Robinson said “I think any fool can produce a wants list but the proposals that are presented by the Prime Minister have to be viewed by all of us.” The First minister also said his party would only agree to transferring law and order responsibilities from Westminster if changes were made to the current process of managing contentious events in the summer marching season.

Sinn Fein says that the DUP are placing obstacles in the way of a deal being done after outstanding financial issues were resolved, but the DUP have always maintained that transferring of policing and justice powers to Stormont will only happen on their terms and will only happen when the unionist community have confidence

• In the structural arrangements for the transfer of such sensitive functions
• In the person who will hold responsibility as Justice Minister and
• That there is adequate funding available to carry out the functions which are devolved.

The community that the DUP speaks of include the hard-line Traditional Unionist Voice party (TUV), in their 2009 election manifesto TUV make it clear that they believe Sinn Fein is not fit for government, they say – TUV continues to be unalterably opposed to the devolution of policing and justice to an Assembly and Executive in which IRA/Sinn Fein, which gleefully murdered policemen and judges, holds sway.

Sinn Fein believe that the powers should have been devolved long ago, they think devolution would make the Justice system more accountable and they no longer want the powers being exercised by a British minister in Westminster. Responding to Peter Robinson’s remarks in parliament on Tuesday when he said the parades commission should be abolished “to increase confidence in devolved policing and justice powers”, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams thinks citing the parades issue as a pre-condition is unacceptable, he said “This is not sincere, genuine or a serious effort to resolve the issue of Orange parades.”
 

So what happens now? And what do other politicians and representatives think of the current situation?

• Sinn Fein are happy to accept the deal on offer from Gordon Brown

• Conservative party leader David Cameron said he will respect the prime minister’s agreement with Northern Ireland leaders

• Northern Ireland’s new Chief Constable Matt Baggott has been briefed on the financial package by government officials and has discussed the offer with Policing Board chairman Barry Gilligan, he said “We welcome the clarification we have received and are encouraged by the progress.”

• PUP leader Dawn Purvis, welcomed Gordon Brown’s offer and called on party leaders to complete devolution

• Alliance party leader David Ford, who is widely expected to be appointed justice minister, not surprisingly said he believed Gordon Brown’s financial plan represented a reasonable offer

• UUP leader Sir Reg Empey, said his party were reserving judgment on its position regarding the financial deal

• SDLP policing spokesman Alex Attwood said a financial deal may have been reached but “political certainty” was less secure, he believes the DUP will continue to place obstacle’s in the way of devolution

• TUV leader Jim Allister, said he opposed giving republicans any role in overseeing policing and justice

• The DUP is in favour of the devolution of policing and justice powers but take a more cautious line than Sinn Fein


So as usual our political party leaders can’t agree on the best way forward and it looks like they will continue to debate over devolution, don’t be surprised if the DUP try and align other issues with the devolution of policing and justice e.g. north- south bodies and a potential review of the Good Friday Agreement.