SDLP Delegation Set For Southern Talks
As Stormont ministers prepare to lay the foundations for devolved policing and justice, a SDLP delegation is meeting the Irish Taoiseach to discuss the matter.
Leader, Mark Durkan, (pictured) along with several other SDLP figures, will told talks with Brian Cowen in Dublin later.
A series of issues are on the agenda, however the devolution of further powers to the local Assembly is expected to dominate talks.
Today the Stormont Executive will be presented with three pieces of legislation designed to initiate the transfer of a Northern Ireland policing and justice ministry.
Mr Durkan said he would also be raising the issue of north-south cooperation at the Dublin meeting.
“This is a good time to take stock with the Irish government, for making progress in relation to the devolution of justice and policing and trying to achieve completion and the settlement of the political institutions,” he said.
“We also want to encourage the Irish government to be very positive and active in trying to push forward a stronger and ever developing north-south cooperation, particularly in the context of the budget challenges we face north and south.”
