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14/04/2010
Irish Welcome For NI Justice Minister
The Dublin Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, has welcomed David Ford's election to the position of Minister of Justice in the devolved Stormont Executive.
The Alliance leader is the first local politician to take responsibility for justice and policing in 38 years. He was confirmed in the post after securing cross-community backing from DUP and Sinn Fein Assembly members.
Speaking last night, Minister Martin said: "I congratulate David Ford on his appointment and wish him and his officials every success in their work.
"Building on the Good Friday Agreement, and consistent with the spirit and recommendations of the Patten Report, authority and responsibility for policing and justice issues is where they ought to be: at local level, accountable to, and operating for the benefit of all the people of Northern Ireland.
"This decision offers an opportunity to further consolidate and develop the achievements of the peace process," he said.
The policing and justice powers were officially transferred to Stormont on Sunday night, only to be greeted by an attack from Republican Dissidents on an Army barracks in Holywood, Co Down.
The attack is believed to have been timed to coincide with the official tranfer of powers; however, no one was injured in the incident.
Mr Martin added: "Those behind the bomb in Holywood should take note that the political process continues to move ahead. We stand firm, for peace and democracy. The appointment of David Ford as Minister of Justice confirms our collective resolve."
Mr Ford will be in charge of the department with more than 4,000 employees and a budget of nearly £1.5bn.
He is the first Northern Ireland Justice Minister since Westminster took policing powers away from the old Stormont government in 1972.
Yesterday, David Ford had his first meeting with the PSNI Chief Constable, Matt Baggott for the first time as Minister for Justice.
The meeting at Parliament Buildings provided the Minister and the Chief Constable with an early opportunity to discuss a number of policing issues.
Speaking after the meeting, the Mr Ford said: "I was very keen to hear from the Chief Constable about the challenges that the PSNI faces, and the key issues around policing.
"It is important that I listen to the experience of the police, and hear the Chief Constable's views on a range of policing issues," he said.
"The Chief Constable gave me an extensive briefing on a range of issues. I look forward to working with him and the Policing Board as we build a safer community for all."
The Minister will also be meeting with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Policing Board later this week.
(DW/GK)
The Alliance leader is the first local politician to take responsibility for justice and policing in 38 years. He was confirmed in the post after securing cross-community backing from DUP and Sinn Fein Assembly members.
Speaking last night, Minister Martin said: "I congratulate David Ford on his appointment and wish him and his officials every success in their work.
"Building on the Good Friday Agreement, and consistent with the spirit and recommendations of the Patten Report, authority and responsibility for policing and justice issues is where they ought to be: at local level, accountable to, and operating for the benefit of all the people of Northern Ireland.
"This decision offers an opportunity to further consolidate and develop the achievements of the peace process," he said.
The policing and justice powers were officially transferred to Stormont on Sunday night, only to be greeted by an attack from Republican Dissidents on an Army barracks in Holywood, Co Down.
The attack is believed to have been timed to coincide with the official tranfer of powers; however, no one was injured in the incident.
Mr Martin added: "Those behind the bomb in Holywood should take note that the political process continues to move ahead. We stand firm, for peace and democracy. The appointment of David Ford as Minister of Justice confirms our collective resolve."
Mr Ford will be in charge of the department with more than 4,000 employees and a budget of nearly £1.5bn.
He is the first Northern Ireland Justice Minister since Westminster took policing powers away from the old Stormont government in 1972.
Yesterday, David Ford had his first meeting with the PSNI Chief Constable, Matt Baggott for the first time as Minister for Justice.
The meeting at Parliament Buildings provided the Minister and the Chief Constable with an early opportunity to discuss a number of policing issues.
Speaking after the meeting, the Mr Ford said: "I was very keen to hear from the Chief Constable about the challenges that the PSNI faces, and the key issues around policing.
"It is important that I listen to the experience of the police, and hear the Chief Constable's views on a range of policing issues," he said.
"The Chief Constable gave me an extensive briefing on a range of issues. I look forward to working with him and the Policing Board as we build a safer community for all."
The Minister will also be meeting with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Policing Board later this week.
(DW/GK)
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