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26/10/2009
Ford Hits Back At Justice Jibe
David Ford has rejected the accusation that a future Alliance Justice Minister would act as an Executive 'puppet'.
Mr Ford (pictured) was responding to criticisms from the Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey, who suggested his party would block any Sinn Fein and DUP move to appoint a minister without all-party agreement.
Sir Reg insisted the Justice Minister should be selected under the terms of the D'hondt system, which currently allocates ministerial portfolios under party size at the Assembly.
Mr Ford said his cross-community party would not accept the post unless it had "full ministerial duties and responsibilities".
He said Alliance would not provide a "second class minister", and that Westminster law had secured full ministerial powers.
"Although it is hard to take the Ulster Unionist claims seriously, I am prepared for talks on justice at any time if they are genuine," added Mr Ford.
Sir Reg has continued to insist any moves on local police and justice devolution would only make provisions for 18 month, which he dubbed a "sunset agreement".
"In another 18 months time we are going to have another hullaballoo about policing and justice," said the UUP leader.
He questioned whether the powers would revert back to the First and Deputy First Ministers after this period.
(PR/KMcA)
Mr Ford (pictured) was responding to criticisms from the Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey, who suggested his party would block any Sinn Fein and DUP move to appoint a minister without all-party agreement.
Sir Reg insisted the Justice Minister should be selected under the terms of the D'hondt system, which currently allocates ministerial portfolios under party size at the Assembly.
Mr Ford said his cross-community party would not accept the post unless it had "full ministerial duties and responsibilities".
He said Alliance would not provide a "second class minister", and that Westminster law had secured full ministerial powers.
"Although it is hard to take the Ulster Unionist claims seriously, I am prepared for talks on justice at any time if they are genuine," added Mr Ford.
Sir Reg has continued to insist any moves on local police and justice devolution would only make provisions for 18 month, which he dubbed a "sunset agreement".
"In another 18 months time we are going to have another hullaballoo about policing and justice," said the UUP leader.
He questioned whether the powers would revert back to the First and Deputy First Ministers after this period.
(PR/KMcA)
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