Policing and justice talks ‘in danger’
Talks on devolving policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly could be in danger, the DUP warned on Thursday.
Stormont Finance Minister Sammy Wilson questioned government commitment to negotiations on financing the transfer of the powers.
He said his party believes there is little point in continuing the talks with Downing Street unless progress is made soon.
The devolution of policing powers has been a source of major controversy, with Sinn Fein demanding the process be completed in line with an agreement between republicans and the DUP.
Stormont ministers are expected to discuss draft legislation on devolution at a meeting of the Assembly’s Executive on Thursday, but Mr Wilson said the talks on securing the necessary funding for the move were crucial to completing the process.
“Despite many months of detailed discussions on how justice would be financed, there is still no sign that the government is serious about providing the necessary funding,” he said.
“There should be no doubt that unless this matter is resolved, it would be impossible to devolve the functions.
“Indeed, while the government maintains its present position on the matter, discussion about the devolution of policing and justice functions will remain academic.”
He added: “We have approached these negotiations with the government in good faith but without serious engagement on their part there is little point in our continuing with these discussions and we will have to consider our future approach on this matter in the coming days.”
Mr Wilson welcomed Thursday’s planned discussion by Stormont ministers of the draft legislation linked to establishing a new justice minister.
He also said his party was content it had sufficient control over the creation of the new ministry.
First Minister Peter Robinson had been expected to clear the way for a discussion of the enabling legislation on July 9th and was criticised at the time by Sinn Fein when the matter was delayed.
But Mr Robinson said he wanted to give ministers sufficient time to study the enabling legislation.
