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US firms 'wait for justice deal' US firms 'wait for justice deal'
(about 2 hours later)
US firms are poised to invest in Northern Ireland once a deal on justice and policing is agreed, Secretary of State Shaun Woodward has said.US firms are poised to invest in Northern Ireland once a deal on justice and policing is agreed, Secretary of State Shaun Woodward has said.
He told the Labour Party conference the transfer to Stormont of these powers was "the final part of the jigsaw".He told the Labour Party conference the transfer to Stormont of these powers was "the final part of the jigsaw".
He said it was a necessary sign of enduring stability which would "send a signal of confidence to the world".He said it was a necessary sign of enduring stability which would "send a signal of confidence to the world".
His speech came after a war of words erupted between the DUP and Sinn Fein over the policing budget.His speech came after a war of words erupted between the DUP and Sinn Fein over the policing budget.
Mr Woodward said economic investment from the United States would inevitably follow after an agreement had been reached.Mr Woodward said economic investment from the United States would inevitably follow after an agreement had been reached.
"Never forget there are 42 million Irish Americans who want to invest in the shared future of Northern Ireland," he said."Never forget there are 42 million Irish Americans who want to invest in the shared future of Northern Ireland," he said.
"America wants to put its money where their hearts truly rest, to create jobs and opportunity for those with whom they have the deepest and strongest ties.""America wants to put its money where their hearts truly rest, to create jobs and opportunity for those with whom they have the deepest and strongest ties."
'At risk' These Peter and Martin soap opera episodes must end before they end up like Peter and Katie Mark DurkanSDLP leader
Earlier, DUP MP Gregory Campbell warned there was no hope of policing and justice powers being devolved in the immediate future.Earlier, DUP MP Gregory Campbell warned there was no hope of policing and justice powers being devolved in the immediate future.
Mr Campbell accused Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of putting new investment at risk by insisting there would be no economic help from the US until the devolution process has been completed.Mr Campbell accused Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of putting new investment at risk by insisting there would be no economic help from the US until the devolution process has been completed.
He said: "I have never met any potential inward investor who has come either from New York or Johannesburg or anywhere else who gets off the plane in Belfast, goes to Invest NI and says, 'Well, what's the policing and justice situation like here?' It just does not happen."He said: "I have never met any potential inward investor who has come either from New York or Johannesburg or anywhere else who gets off the plane in Belfast, goes to Invest NI and says, 'Well, what's the policing and justice situation like here?' It just does not happen."
Criticising
Intensive negotiations have been taking place on the issue in recent weeks.Intensive negotiations have been taking place on the issue in recent weeks.
More discussions were due to take place in Brighton this week at the Labour conference, but when they did not occur, the DUP and Sinn Fein ended up criticising each other.More discussions were due to take place in Brighton this week at the Labour conference, but when they did not occur, the DUP and Sinn Fein ended up criticising each other.
Mr McGuinness suggested First Minister Peter Robinson of the DUP might be taking "cold feet" on a deal over devolution of policing and justice.Mr McGuinness suggested First Minister Peter Robinson of the DUP might be taking "cold feet" on a deal over devolution of policing and justice.
He said he was annoyed at the failure of his efforts to develop a close working relationship with Mr Robinson and said he was angry at his failure to meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown this week to discuss the policing and justice issue.He said he was annoyed at the failure of his efforts to develop a close working relationship with Mr Robinson and said he was angry at his failure to meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown this week to discuss the policing and justice issue.
Mr Robinson accused Mr McGuinness of making a "one-sided nasty attack".Mr Robinson accused Mr McGuinness of making a "one-sided nasty attack".
He cited uncertainty over the future budget for devolving the powers, and said there was no point in meeting Mr Brown amid remaining differences between budget estimates of the Treasury and local criminal justice agencies.He cited uncertainty over the future budget for devolving the powers, and said there was no point in meeting Mr Brown amid remaining differences between budget estimates of the Treasury and local criminal justice agencies.
The SDLP leader Mark Durkan said Sinn Fein and the DUP should do more and say less. SDLP leader Mark Durkan said Sinn Fein and the DUP should do more and say less.
"I know from my own experience that there are strains on and strains within the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister," he said."I know from my own experience that there are strains on and strains within the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister," he said.
"But these Peter and Martin soap opera episodes must end before they end up like Peter and Katie.""But these Peter and Martin soap opera episodes must end before they end up like Peter and Katie."