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Parties briefed on justice plans Parties briefed on justice plans
(39 minutes later)
Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have briefed other parties on outline proposals for 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 UUP, Alliance and the SDLP met Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness at Stormont castle.Delegations from the UUP, Alliance and the SDLP met Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness at Stormont castle.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan pointed out that the big issue of when justice powers might be transferred still remains undecidedSDLP leader Mark Durkan pointed out that the big issue of when justice powers might be transferred still remains undecided
His party wants this transfer to happen by 7 December.His party wants this transfer to happen by 7 December.
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. UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said his party could not comment on the proposals as it did not have enough information.
"It is impossible to work from bits and pieces of this and that - mere hearsay," he said.
"We have not had sight of any substantive detail - just one conversation and therefore are unable to provide comment from the snippets which we heard today."
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.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.
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.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.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.
PublicationPublication
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.
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".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.
Mr Robinson, leader of the DUP, has said he would welcome the publication of plans outlining the devolution of policing and justice.Mr Robinson, leader of the DUP, 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.