The devolution of policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland marks the final end to decades of strife, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said.Out of the 105 votes cast in the NI Assembly, a total of 88 supported the move, while 17 voted against it. Mr Brown said the politics of progress had now replaced politics of division. "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." Policing and justice powers will now be devolved on 12 April after a 38 year gap.
The devolution of policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland marks the final end to decades of strife, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said.
Out of the 105 votes cast in the NI Assembly, a total of 88 supported the move, while 17 voted against it.
Mr Brown said the politics of progress had now replaced politics of division.
"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."
Policing and justice powers will now be devolved on 12 April after a 38 year gap.
As expected, the Ulster Unionist Party voted against the powers being devolved...DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson accused the UUP of seeking political advantage by voting against the devolution plans. "I believe it is time for us all to move forward," he said. "There must be no going back to the bad old days of the past. "Throughout history there are times of challenge and defining moments. This is such a time. This is such a moment." UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said his party did not believe the time was right for policing and justice powers to be devolved. "We are a party for the devolution of justice, but it is the conditions to which we are coming," he said. "We have not had a single solitary discussion at leadership level of what we are going to do with policing and justice. "It is a bit like doing your driving test without doing your driving lessons."
As expected, the Ulster Unionist Party voted against the powers being devolved...
DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson accused the UUP of seeking political advantage by voting against the devolution plans.
"I believe it is time for us all to move forward," he said.
"There must be no going back to the bad old days of the past.
"Throughout history there are times of challenge and defining moments. This is such a time. This is such a moment."
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said his party did not believe the time was right for policing and justice powers to be devolved.
"We are a party for the devolution of justice, but it is the conditions to which we are coming," he said.
"We have not had a single solitary discussion at leadership level of what we are going to do with policing and justice.
"It is a bit like doing your driving test without doing your driving lessons."
What's this? Does the UUP want to overtake the DUP towards the right? *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
