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MAGINNESS - DEVOLUTION OF POLICING AND JUSTICE POWERS
ESSENTIAL Speaking after today’s debate in the Assembly on the devolution of policing and justice powers SDLP Justice Spokesperson Alban Maginness MLA stated: “The SDLP believe that we should approach the Devolution of Justice and Policing as a great opportunity to shape and form our security and justice systems in accordance with local needs and aspirations. It is one of the final key pieces of completing the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and will establish local authority over matters central to the well being of the community in the North. Devolution without Justice and Policing powers is a second division form of devolution. Power over policing and justice is the hallmark of real devolution and without it we are little more than a grand County Council. Now that we are moving into grown up adult politics, it is only right that we should be regarded as mature enough to look after our own security and legal system. The findings of a recent poll show that there is an appetite among the public for the devolution of these powers and as politicians we need to take the necessary steps to achieving it. The DUP have claimed that there is not sufficient confidence at this moment amongst the community for the devolution of justice. Of course they mean the unionist community, but even this measurement of opinion has been questioned by the recent poll which shows not only cross community support for the devolution of justice and policing, but that even among DUP supporters there is a reasonable majority in favour of devolving powers. The SDLP believes that that political and community confidence now exists for the devolution of powers to happen and any delay could put that confidence in jeopardy. We believe that people should not play politics with this issue. In any case, the public have shown an understanding of the realities and benefits of local control over these powers and have been unaffected by any scaremongering around the issue. The issue is of crucial importance to the public and all parties should continue to work to ensure that structures, roles and responsibilities are agreed and ready to roll out in the coming months. The SDLP will work to ensure that there is no reduction in the powers of the Policing Board and Police Ombudsman through the devolution of these powers. We are also clear that there should be a single new department to deal with both policing and justice issues. A proposal for two separate ministers, as suggested by Sinn Fein, would be simply ludicrous. A single Minister with single departmental responsibility can be more focused, more effective, more strategic and free of any accusation of a sectarian carve up of powers and possible balkanisation. There is also a huge opportunity to build a new generation of North South bodies on justice including an All Ireland Criminal Assets Bureau and an All Ireland Law Commission to name two. The Devolution of powers to the Assembly will make the justice system more responsive, more transparent, and most importantly, more effective. It remains to be seen how the DUP will approach this issue in the post Paisley era. There is a real opportunity for them to cement the power sharing institutions and underline stability by agreeing to the transfer of policing and justice powers. Peter Robinson has already made it clear that he sees the devolution of these powers as ‘no big move for unionism’. Of course he is correct. While the mood music seems positive, only decisive action will be enough on this issue. There is no reason not to move forward on this issue on the basis of equality, respect and a mutual understanding that it is to the benefit, not the detriment, of all the people on the island of Ireland.”
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