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10/03/2010
PM Welcomes Justice Approval
Gordon Brown has praised the Northern Ireland Assembly's decision to back the historic Hillsborough Castle Agreement.
The deal will see justice powers placed in the hands of local politicians for the first time in 38 years.
Eighty-eight of the province's MLAs voted in favour of the accord.
Three of Stormont's 108 Assembly members abstained from voting, with 17 others opposing the motion.
Prime Minister Brown said politics of division has now been replaced by progressive thinking.
"It sends the most powerful message to those who would return to violence: that democracy and tolerance will prevail," he said.
"The courage and leadership of the parties who voted to complete devolution at Stormont will be noted around the world."
Cogs are already in motion to ensure the new Ministry of Justice will be up and running by 12 April.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomed yesterday's resolution.
She said America "stands with the people of Northern Ireland" and will support efforts to build and sustain a "thriving, confident, and shared society".
Ongoing wrangling over the devolution of policing and justice powers between the two largest parties threatened to collapse the Belfast institutions.
The DUP and Sinn Fein agreed on the deal last month amid heightened and drawn out negotiations.
Rival unionist party, the UUP stuck to its pledge to vote against the agreement yesterday.
That decision has been blasted by former Ulster Unionist MP John Taylor, now Lord Kilclooney.
He said party leader Sir Reg Empey's decision to tie in other outstanding issues with opposition to justice devolution was wrong.
"Ulster Unionists have historically always been for the transfer of security and, more so, policing to Northern Ireland," said Lord Kilclonney.
"The late Brian Faulkner the prime minister (of Northern Ireland) said that devolution was useless at Stormont unless you had control of the policing and judicial system."
Lord Kilclonney was the last Northern Ireland political to exercise home affairs powers.
Alliance leader David Ford is tipped by many to be installed as Stormont's Minister for Justice within weeks.
(PR/BMcC)
The deal will see justice powers placed in the hands of local politicians for the first time in 38 years.
Eighty-eight of the province's MLAs voted in favour of the accord.
Three of Stormont's 108 Assembly members abstained from voting, with 17 others opposing the motion.
Prime Minister Brown said politics of division has now been replaced by progressive thinking.
"It sends the most powerful message to those who would return to violence: that democracy and tolerance will prevail," he said.
"The courage and leadership of the parties who voted to complete devolution at Stormont will be noted around the world."
Cogs are already in motion to ensure the new Ministry of Justice will be up and running by 12 April.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomed yesterday's resolution.
She said America "stands with the people of Northern Ireland" and will support efforts to build and sustain a "thriving, confident, and shared society".
Ongoing wrangling over the devolution of policing and justice powers between the two largest parties threatened to collapse the Belfast institutions.
The DUP and Sinn Fein agreed on the deal last month amid heightened and drawn out negotiations.
Rival unionist party, the UUP stuck to its pledge to vote against the agreement yesterday.
That decision has been blasted by former Ulster Unionist MP John Taylor, now Lord Kilclooney.
He said party leader Sir Reg Empey's decision to tie in other outstanding issues with opposition to justice devolution was wrong.
"Ulster Unionists have historically always been for the transfer of security and, more so, policing to Northern Ireland," said Lord Kilclonney.
"The late Brian Faulkner the prime minister (of Northern Ireland) said that devolution was useless at Stormont unless you had control of the policing and judicial system."
Lord Kilclonney was the last Northern Ireland political to exercise home affairs powers.
Alliance leader David Ford is tipped by many to be installed as Stormont's Minister for Justice within weeks.
(PR/BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
