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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". |
| But DUP MP Nigel Dodds said he doubts Sinn Fein can prove its support by the 27 March deadline to revive devolution. | But DUP MP Nigel Dodds said he doubts Sinn Fein can prove its support by the 27 March deadline to revive devolution. |
| "If they are going to stick to this policy then there will certainly be no delivery before 26 March and therefore there can't be the time for the delivery or the testing," he said. | "If they are going to stick to this policy then there will certainly be no delivery before 26 March and therefore there can't be the time for the delivery or the testing," he said. |
| "Therefore I think there are very, very serious problems - let Sinn Fein get on with doing what other parties have already done." | "Therefore I think there are very, very serious problems - let Sinn Fein get on with doing what other parties have already done." |
| Sinn Fein motion in full Reaction to the vote Q&A: Sinn Fein policing move | Sinn Fein motion in full Reaction to the vote Q&A: Sinn Fein policing move |
| On Monday, Sinn Fein's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness said he hoped the DUP would respond positively following the party's decision to support the police and the rule of law. | On Monday, Sinn Fein's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness said he hoped the DUP would respond positively following the party's decision to support the police and the rule of law. |
| Mr McGuinness said republicans were aware of the problems within their communities. | Mr McGuinness said republicans were aware of the problems within their communities. |
| "People recognise that this is an area that needs to be dealt with. | "People recognise that this is an area that needs to be dealt with. |
| "I experienced this myself in my own constituency where a 77-year-old man was murdered and, in the same incident, his 75-year-old sister was raped and thrown down the stairs. | "I experienced this myself in my own constituency where a 77-year-old man was murdered and, in the same incident, his 75-year-old sister was raped and thrown down the stairs. |
| "I think that we do need to be liberated to move forward to ensure that those who are responsible for these heinous deeds are apprehended and brought to justice." | "I think that we do need to be liberated to move forward to ensure that those who are responsible for these heinous deeds are apprehended and brought to justice." |
| HAVE YOUR SAY The ball is now in the DUP's court, again Sean Crooks, Belfast, UK class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5407&edition=1&ttl=20070128175629">Send us your comments 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. | "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. |
| Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde also welcomed the result of the ballot. | Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde also welcomed the result of the ballot. |
| Assembly | Assembly |
| 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. | 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 on Monday 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. |