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MPs to debate transfer of powers Durkan warns of 'zombie minister'
(about 2 hours later)
Debate on the transfer of policing and justice powers to Stormont is due to begin at Westminster on Wednesday. A bill on the transfer of policing and justice powers could lead to a "zombie minister with no department," SDLP leader Mark Durkan has warned.
MPs are due to debate the transfer of powers to Stormont later.
Disagreements between Sinn Fein and the DUP led to the breakdown of the executive last year, although a deal was struck in November.Disagreements between Sinn Fein and the DUP led to the breakdown of the executive last year, although a deal was struck in November.
It will be the first time politicians in Westminster can discuss the issue. The Conservatives want the NI secretary to assume transferred policing and justice powers if parties cannot agree.
The Conservatives want the Northern Ireland Secretary to assume transferred policing and justice powers if parties cannot agree within a time frame.
In November, Sinn Fein and the DUP agreed to appoint a justice minster through cross-community choice, but the SDLP are putting down an amendment to have the minister appointed through the D'Hondt system, which would give the post to them.In November, Sinn Fein and the DUP agreed to appoint a justice minster through cross-community choice, but the SDLP are putting down an amendment to have the minister appointed through the D'Hondt system, which would give the post to them.
BBC Northern Ireland's political editor Mark Devenport said he would be surprised if the government was to allow anything to reshape the bill. Mr Durkan said people should know what the proposed bill means.
It is in effect legislation for stand-off and stalemate after the assembly elections of May 2011 Mark DurkanSDLP leader Criminal cases cost double in NI "Essentially they're pushing this through in order to enable the deal between the DUP and Sinn Fein to be implemented," he said. It is in effect legislation for stand-off and stalemate after the assembly elections of May 2011 Mark DurkanSDLP leader Criminal cases cost double in NI
"They will want to see it go through more or less as they've drawn it up and they have the votes to ensure that it does."
SDLP leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan MLA said people should know what the proposed bill means.
"It doesn't give a date for the devolution of justice," he said."It doesn't give a date for the devolution of justice," he said.
"Nor does it ensure that there is a nationalist minister for justice, as we are entitled to have under the Good Friday Agreement."Nor does it ensure that there is a nationalist minister for justice, as we are entitled to have under the Good Friday Agreement.
"But it does mean that if we actually get the devolution of justice, then it can collapse in both May 2011 and 2012."But it does mean that if we actually get the devolution of justice, then it can collapse in both May 2011 and 2012.
"It is in effect legislation for stand-off and stalemate after the assembly elections of May 2011, when the grandstanding will begin again as the DUP and Sinn Fein jockey for position ahead of 2012."It is in effect legislation for stand-off and stalemate after the assembly elections of May 2011, when the grandstanding will begin again as the DUP and Sinn Fein jockey for position ahead of 2012.
"This could lead to the bizarre situation of a department with no minister and is a crisis waiting to happen. "This could lead to the bizarre situation of a department with no minister."
It has been claimed devolving justice could cost £700m
BBC Northern Ireland's political editor Mark Devenport said he would be surprised if the government was to allow anything to reshape the bill.
"Essentially they're pushing this through in order to enable the deal between the DUP and Sinn Fein to be implemented," he said.
"They will want to see it go through more or less as they've drawn it up and they have the votes to ensure that it does."
CostCost
On Tuesday, it emerged that the average legal aid bill for criminal cases in Northern Ireland is more than twice that for England and Wales.On Tuesday, it emerged that the average legal aid bill for criminal cases in Northern Ireland is more than twice that for England and Wales.
The disclosure was made to a committee which is trying to find out the cost of devolving justice to Stormont.The disclosure was made to a committee which is trying to find out the cost of devolving justice to Stormont.
The average legal aid bill for criminal cases in Northern Ireland was £14,000 compared to £6,000 in England and Wales.The average legal aid bill for criminal cases in Northern Ireland was £14,000 compared to £6,000 in England and Wales.
Committee member Ian Paisley Jnr said devolving justice could cost £700m.Committee member Ian Paisley Jnr said devolving justice could cost £700m.