Daily
Dispatch 30th August 2006
SDLP
COMMENT AFTER PREPARATION FOR GOVERNMENT MEETING
Commenting at the conclusion of today’s Preparation for
Government meeting at Stormont addressing issues of law, order
and justice, SDLP Policing Spokesperson Alex Attwood MLA stated:
“There remain major differences around issues of law, order
and justice, but also some surprising agreement. All parties on
the committee ‘welcomed’ the agreement that there
would be a single justice ministry and agreed that the shape and
model of the new ministry needed to be worked through by the parties
‘collectively’. If this good work can be built on
by the parties talking and negotiating together, more progress
might be made.”
Differences remain around when devolution of justice might occur,
MI5 primacy, any proposed future role for the British army, and
the devolution of sensitive powers. Mr Attwood continued:
“The SDLP proposed the maximum position:
-
No role for the British army.
-
No MI5 primacy.
-
Devolution of justice on day one of a restored assembly.
-
Community safeguards around sensitive powers.
- Protection
for the independence of the Policing Board and new policing structures.
The
SDLP believe that with further hard work, more progress can be made.
We would welcome the opportunity.”
SDLP Justice spokesperson Alban Maginness MLA said that the committee
tackled head-on the policing issue. Mr Maginness stated:
“The SDLP proposed motions central to political and policing
confidence at today’s Preparation for Government Committee.
The motions addressed included:
-
Calling on all paramilitary groups to fully and without delay
cooperate with the IICD and put arms beyond use.
-
Calling on all parties to encourage people to join the police
and participate in policing structures, and advise the community
to help the police, North and South, in the pursuit of crime.
Restoration,
its stability and success, will be greatly aided and abetted by
all the parties signing up to our approach. The DUP approach, which
the SDLP opposed at today’s meeting, that the IICD should
publish now an inventory of IRA arms put beyond use. This was a
clear attempt to unpick the level of confidence around IRA disposal
of weapons, not to help the prospects of restoration but to damage
them.”
MAGINNESS:
MCCORD KEEPING SPOTLIGHT ON UVF CRIMINALITY
SDLP
Justice Spokesperson Alban Maginness said Raymond McCord is doing
a great public service by keeping the spotlight on the murderous
activities of the UVF
He said: “In the face of explicit and very personal threats
of murder which continue to this day, Raymond McCord has fearlessly
pursued the cause of justice for his murdered son for nine long
years. It takes great courage not only to face down a murder gang,
but also to force the political and security establishment to
face unpalatable truths about their own policies.
“There cannot be an acceptable face of terrorism. There
cannot be favoured factions within paramilitary murder gangs,
and there can be no more collusion as there was in the past. By
all means let us encourage those who want to make a transition
to democratic politics, but there must be no escape for those
who continue their murderous ways, as the UVF is clearly doing
with its threats against Mr McCord.
“The SDLP fully supports Mr McCord’s quest for justice.
We want to see the truth coming out about collusion in all its
forms.”
MAGINNESS
CONDEMNS NORTH BELFAST ROBBERY
SDLP
North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness has condemned those responsible
for kidnapping a North Belfast couple at knifepoint from their
home in Cliftonville Avenue and forcing them to drive to a cashpoint
and withdraw money. The masked men then made off in the couples
car. Speaking today Mr Maginness stated:
“This was a frightening and traumatic experience for the
couple involved. Their concern must have been heightened by the
fact that they were forced to leave their eighteen month old daughter
in their flat whilst they were forced to go to a cashpoint and
withdraw money. It is hard to fathom the mentality of thugs who
would stoop so low as to carry out an attack of this nature. Their
lack of thought for the couple or the safety of their child is
unforgivable. It is crucial that anyone with any information on
this attack, no matter how small, should contact the local PSNI
as soon as possible.”
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