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McGuinness issues justice warning | McGuinness issues justice warning |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Martin McGuinness has warned of deep trouble for the political process unless a date for devolving justice and policing is agreed by Christmas. | Martin McGuinness has warned of deep trouble for the political process unless a date for devolving justice and policing is agreed by Christmas. |
He was speaking at a news conference following a meeting with First Minister Peter Robinson and Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin. | He was speaking at a news conference following a meeting with First Minister Peter Robinson and Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin. |
While Mr Robinson attended the North-South Ministerial Council meeting, he did not join in the news conference. | While Mr Robinson attended the North-South Ministerial Council meeting, he did not join in the news conference. |
Mr Martin said he wanted to see the transfer of powers as soon as possible. | Mr Martin said he wanted to see the transfer of powers as soon as possible. |
Mr McGuinness, the deputy first minister, said: "What absolutely is an imperative is to have an agreement on the transfer of power, and a date for the transfer of power, before Christmas. | |
"I have to say if it slips past Christmas we are in deep trouble." | "I have to say if it slips past Christmas we are in deep trouble." |
Debate | Debate |
On Tuesday, an SDLP motion to have a future justice minister elected through the D'Hondt system was defeated in an assembly debate on policing and justice powers. | On Tuesday, an SDLP motion to have a future justice minister elected through the D'Hondt system was defeated in an assembly debate on policing and justice powers. |
MLAs discussed the legislation, which will provide the legal framework for the devolution of policing and justice, for almost 10 hours on Tuesday night. | MLAs discussed the legislation, which will provide the legal framework for the devolution of policing and justice, for almost 10 hours on Tuesday night. |
However, the bill does not dictate when the powers will be transferred. | However, the bill does not dictate when the powers will be transferred. |
Another SDLP amendment which called for powers to be transferred by 7 December was also defeated. | Another SDLP amendment which called for powers to be transferred by 7 December was also defeated. |
DUP leader Peter Robinson has said the Parades Commission should be abolished before the transfer of power. | DUP leader Peter Robinson has said the Parades Commission should be abolished before the transfer of power. |
And at the beginning of the week, his party colleague Jeffrey Donaldson said devolution should only happen if the PSNI reserve is retained. | And at the beginning of the week, his party colleague Jeffrey Donaldson said devolution should only happen if the PSNI reserve is retained. |
However on Tuesday the Chief Constable reiterated his view that there is no operational need to keep the remaining reserve officers. | However on Tuesday the Chief Constable reiterated his view that there is no operational need to keep the remaining reserve officers. |
Matt Baggott said the reserve should be phased out by 2011, in accordance with the recommendations of the Patton report. | Matt Baggott said the reserve should be phased out by 2011, in accordance with the recommendations of the Patton report. |
The Police Federation, which is effectively the union for PSNI officers, said on Monday that the majority of officers in the full-time reserve wanted to remain in post. | The Police Federation, which is effectively the union for PSNI officers, said on Monday that the majority of officers in the full-time reserve wanted to remain in post. |
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