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PMs welcome Sinn Fein police move PMs welcome Sinn Fein police move
(about 1 hour later)
The British and Irish prime ministers have welcomed Sinn Fein's decision to back policing in Northern Ireland.The British and Irish prime ministers have welcomed Sinn Fein's decision to back policing in Northern Ireland.
The motion to support the PSNI was backed by 90% of the 900 members who voted at the party's conference (ard fheis) in Dublin on Sunday.The motion to support the PSNI was backed by 90% of the 900 members who voted at the party's conference (ard fheis) in Dublin on Sunday.
Tony Blair's spokesman said the ballot was an "historic decision", while Bertie Ahern said it was a "landmark".Tony Blair's spokesman said the ballot was an "historic decision", while Bertie Ahern said it was a "landmark".
The DUP, however, expressed concern about how soon the new policy would be implemented on the ground.The DUP, however, expressed concern about how soon the new policy would be implemented on the ground.
DUP MP for East Antrim Sammy Wilson said he accepted Sinn Fein had taken a step forward, but he added: "The ultimate test of this, because there is no trust in Sinn Fein, is will they deliver on supporting policing before they get into government?"DUP MP for East Antrim Sammy Wilson said he accepted Sinn Fein had taken a step forward, but he added: "The ultimate test of this, because there is no trust in Sinn Fein, is will they deliver on supporting policing before they get into government?"
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said: "The tragedy is that it has taken republicans so long to wake up to change and play their last card." class="" href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/6307233.stm">Sinn Fein motion in full class="" href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/6308273.stm">Reaction to the vote class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6308429.stm">Q&A: Sinn Fein policing move UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said: "The tragedy is that it has taken republicans so long to wake up to change and play their last card."
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said people need to know that "if there's a rape or a burglary or a drunken yob runs riot in a neighbourhood, local republicans are co-operating with the police".
"I think that we're moving in that direction and the important thing is that we've never been at this point before," he said.
The decision gives Sinn Fein's ruling executive the authority to declare its support for the PSNI and the criminal justice system when devolution is restored and policing and justice powers are transferred to the Northern Ireland Assembly.The decision gives Sinn Fein's ruling executive the authority to declare its support for the PSNI and the criminal justice system when devolution is restored and policing and justice powers are transferred to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Mr Ahern said the move opened the way to Northern Ireland power-sharing.Mr Ahern said the move opened the way to Northern Ireland power-sharing.
"It is vital that we continue to maintain the momentum from the St Andrews agreement and the timetable set out in that agreement," he said.
Public servicePublic service
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde also welcomed the result of the ballot.Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde also welcomed the result of the ballot.
"Our view has always been that policing is a public service which every member of the community should be able to access on an equal and equitable basis," he said."Our view has always been that policing is a public service which every member of the community should be able to access on an equal and equitable basis," he said.
Speaking after the vote, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said the decision was truly historic.Speaking after the vote, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said the decision was truly historic.
"You have created the opportunity to significantly advance our struggle and you have seized the opportunity to further our primary objective of united Ireland through the building of greater political strength." he said."You have created the opportunity to significantly advance our struggle and you have seized the opportunity to further our primary objective of united Ireland through the building of greater political strength." he said.
Mr Adams also said that republicanism and unionism had reached an historic compromise.Mr Adams also said that republicanism and unionism had reached an historic compromise.
"If the promise and hope of the peace process is to deliver peace and prosperity, that means beginning a real dialogue, an anti-sectarian dialogue, a dialogue which will move us to a real future," he added.
AssemblyAssembly
Mr Blair and Mr Bertie Ahern have identified Sinn Fein support for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) as being crucial to persuading the DUP to share power in a devolved government with Sinn Fein by 26 March. Mr Blair and Mr Ahern have identified Sinn Fein support for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) as being crucial to persuading the DUP to share power in a devolved government with Sinn Fein by 26 March.
If an election does not occur, Stormont will be dissolved indefinitely.If an election does not occur, Stormont will be dissolved indefinitely.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's assembly members meet today for a final session of the assembly before its dissolution on 30 January in anticipation of an election on 7 March. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's assembly members meet on Monday for a final session of the assembly before its dissolution on 30 January in anticipation of an election on 7 March.
Members will be debating north-south cooperation, the treatment of patients at Muckamore Abbey, fishing boat compensation and liquor licensing.Members will be debating north-south cooperation, the treatment of patients at Muckamore Abbey, fishing boat compensation and liquor licensing.