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24/02/2009
Devolution Of Policing And Justice Moves Closer
Policing and justice matters look set to come under the remit of Stormont MLAs soon.
NIO Secretary of State Shaun Woodward has underlined Westminster's continuing move toward the overall hand over of policing and justice powers to local MLAs.
As the NIO was also today revealing that legislation to give courts the option of tagging offenders is being brought into force soon, Mr Woodward has further outlined a new ministerial model for a NI Justice Department.
It will be headed by a single Stormont minister who would, as expected, have to be elected with the backing from all sides.
But it also includes a clause that would dissolve the mooted Department by May 1, 2012, unless the Assembly has agreed more permanent arrangements.
That 'compromise' would leave MLAs free to continue along the same basis or scrap the system.
Mr Woodward said: "There are still important decisions to be taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly on the timing of devolution and on what functions they wish to see devolve.
"However, these measures provide the framework for those decisions to be taken and represent another significant step for Northern Ireland on the path to the completion of devolution."
Later this week a Parliamentary Order will also be laid to increase the number of ministerial offices at Stormont from ten to 11 to allow for the creation of the new policing and justice department.
Mr Woodward added: "The Bill does not provide for when devolution will happen, nor does it provide for what is to devolve - both of these still require further consideration by the parties and ultimately by Parliament.
"It does, however, provide a framework for the post-devolution administration of justice by providing for a new ministerial model which the Assembly can use to set up a new department of justice.
"It also provides for certain functions in relation to judicial appointments and removals to rest with the Judicial Appointments Commission rather than the First and Deputy First Ministers."
(BMcC/JM)
NIO Secretary of State Shaun Woodward has underlined Westminster's continuing move toward the overall hand over of policing and justice powers to local MLAs.
As the NIO was also today revealing that legislation to give courts the option of tagging offenders is being brought into force soon, Mr Woodward has further outlined a new ministerial model for a NI Justice Department.
It will be headed by a single Stormont minister who would, as expected, have to be elected with the backing from all sides.
But it also includes a clause that would dissolve the mooted Department by May 1, 2012, unless the Assembly has agreed more permanent arrangements.
That 'compromise' would leave MLAs free to continue along the same basis or scrap the system.
Mr Woodward said: "There are still important decisions to be taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly on the timing of devolution and on what functions they wish to see devolve.
"However, these measures provide the framework for those decisions to be taken and represent another significant step for Northern Ireland on the path to the completion of devolution."
Later this week a Parliamentary Order will also be laid to increase the number of ministerial offices at Stormont from ten to 11 to allow for the creation of the new policing and justice department.
Mr Woodward added: "The Bill does not provide for when devolution will happen, nor does it provide for what is to devolve - both of these still require further consideration by the parties and ultimately by Parliament.
"It does, however, provide a framework for the post-devolution administration of justice by providing for a new ministerial model which the Assembly can use to set up a new department of justice.
"It also provides for certain functions in relation to judicial appointments and removals to rest with the Judicial Appointments Commission rather than the First and Deputy First Ministers."
(BMcC/JM)
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