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Executive has to meet, party told | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Stormont Executive needs to meet, Secretary of State Shaun Woodward has told the Labour Party conference. | |
He said he believed the parties had the will to overcome their differences on policing and that devolution can be completed within 12 months. | |
Mr Woodward told the conference that the transfer of policing powers was a "difficult final step" for unionists and trust had to be built. | |
"Time can be a deadline, but time can also be a friend," he said. | "Time can be a deadline, but time can also be a friend," he said. |
Mr Woodward said the government believed there was a majority in both communities that wanted policing and justice powers transferred. | Mr Woodward said the government believed there was a majority in both communities that wanted policing and justice powers transferred. |
"We promise to help ensure that when the parties, as they will, agree the transfer that we will provide the help to ensure success - we will not walk away from you, we stand with you," he added. | "We promise to help ensure that when the parties, as they will, agree the transfer that we will provide the help to ensure success - we will not walk away from you, we stand with you," he added. |
He said that while dissident republicans were still active, a report on the status of the IRA's ruling 'army council' showed politics was now the vehicle for resolving division. | He said that while dissident republicans were still active, a report on the status of the IRA's ruling 'army council' showed politics was now the vehicle for resolving division. |
"There is still a threat in Northern Ireland, but not from the IRA," he said. | "There is still a threat in Northern Ireland, but not from the IRA," he said. |
The Northern Ireland Executive has not met over the summer, as Sinn Féin insisted on more progress over devolving justice powers. | The Northern Ireland Executive has not met over the summer, as Sinn Féin insisted on more progress over devolving justice powers. |
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