Daily Dispatch 23rd August 2006

MAGINNESS ‘RESTORATION SHOULD BRING IMMEDIATE TRANSFER OF JUSTICE & POLICING POWERS’

SDLP Justice Spokesperson Alban Maginness MLA has proposed at Wednesday’s Preparation for Government Committee that devolution of Justice and Policing powers should occur at restoration and no later than six months after restoration.

Alban Maginness said, “It is a matter of regret that the Committee did not reach consensus on the SDLP proposal. If there is sufficient confidence for all parties to go into government together, if there is enough for the four parties to sit around the Executive table sharing power, surely this is a sufficient basis for the transfer of policing and justice powers on day 1 of restoration.

“If it can’t happen on day 1, it should happen on week 1 or during month 1 following restoration. In any case it must happen before six months.

“It could be potentially destabilising if the earliest possible date for devolution of Justice and Policing is not grasped. It would lead to accusations of delaying tactics. It could create tensions between parties. The issue could fester and damage government and all of this at the very time when the maximum stability is required in the first month of a restored Assembly.

“The SDLP urges all parties to think further about reaching out for an Assembly vote on Day 1, week 1 or month 1 for the transfer of Justice and Policing powers. It is a big challenge but it brings with it an even bigger prize.

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