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Parties meeting on justice plans Parties briefed on justice plans
(about 3 hours later)
The first and deputy first minister are meeting other assembly parties to outline proposals on the devolution of policing and justice. Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have briefed other parties on outline proposals for the devolution of policing and justice.
Delegations from the Ulster Unionists, Alliance and the SDLP are meeting the ministers at Stormont castle. Delegations from the UUP, Alliance and the SDLP met Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness at Stormont castle.
The Alliance leader David Ford said he "understands Gordon Brown's financial package on policing and Justice is in the region of £800m". SDLP leader Mark Durkan pointed out that the big issue of when justice powers might be transferred still remains undecided
Mr Ford was briefed but has not been given a copy of the PM's offer. His party wants this transfer to happen by 7 December.
Mr Ford is likely to become Justice Minister under a deal agreed by the DUP and Sinn Fein. UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said the Executive should still have access to the UK national contingency fund so that local budgets are not overwhelmed by a future emergency.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Ford said it was important that aside from the finances, agreement should be achieved on policies like a new football offences act, reform of the Prison Service and better services for victims and witnesses. Alliance leader David Ford, who has been tipped as a future justice minister, agreed that the Prime Minister's package was in the region of £800m.
The meetings come after Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness held a series of intensive meetings with the prime minister on Wednesday. Mr Ford called for agreement on policies like a new Football Offences Act, reform of the prison service and better treatment of victims and witnesses.
The meetings come after Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness held a series of intensive meetings with the prime minister on Wednesday.
They discussed the financial package for the devolution of justice.They discussed the financial package for the devolution of justice.
Publication
Earlier on Thursday, Mr Ford said the policies a Department of Justice would implement were more important than the money provided for it.Earlier on Thursday, Mr Ford said the policies a Department of Justice would implement were more important than the money provided for it.
"If we can't get policies that are agreed within the assembly, then no Justice Department will be able to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland," he said. "If we can't get policies that are agreed within the assembly, then no justice department will be able to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland," he said.
Mark Durkan, leader of the SDLP, said he hoped the first and deputy first ministers would indicate that they had "agreed a pathway for the completion of the transfer of policing and justice". Mr Durkan, the SDLP leader, said he hoped the first and deputy first ministers would indicate that they had "agreed a pathway for the completion of the transfer of policing and justice".
"Obviously, we are deeply opposed to the DUP/Sinn Fein plans to have the justice minister appointed completely outside the terms of the Good Friday Agreement," he said."Obviously, we are deeply opposed to the DUP/Sinn Fein plans to have the justice minister appointed completely outside the terms of the Good Friday Agreement," he said.
Publication Mr Robinson, leader of the DUP, has said he would welcome the publication of plans outlining the devolution of policing and justice.
First Minister Peter Robinson has said he would welcome the publication of plans outlining the devolution of policing and justice.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to consider showing the assembly the budget for devolution.Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to consider showing the assembly the budget for devolution.
Mr Robinson said he would welcome the publication, but added that two issues still "require further clarification".Mr Robinson said he would welcome the publication, but added that two issues still "require further clarification".
"I would welcome the publication of the proposals to inform the public on this important issue," he said."I would welcome the publication of the proposals to inform the public on this important issue," he said.
"I also believe it would be most useful for the prime minister's proposals to be shared with the Assembly and Executive Review Committee."
The party declined to say what the outstanding issues were at the moment.
Sinn Fein have accepted the deal and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said any points in the budget that "need clarifying are purely technical".
BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said there seems to be an increasing sense on all sides that it would be a good idea to publish the terms.