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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Justice impasse risks devolution | Justice impasse risks devolution |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Northern Ireland's political institutions are unsustainable if they are not based on equality, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said. | Northern Ireland's political institutions are unsustainable if they are not based on equality, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said. |
| Mr McGuinness said the impasse over the devolution of policing and justice also could not go on. | Mr McGuinness said the impasse over the devolution of policing and justice also could not go on. |
| He said he required a date for the devolution of the powers by Christmas, followed by action in the New Year. | He said he required a date for the devolution of the powers by Christmas, followed by action in the New Year. |
| He said he met First Minister Peter Robinson, and they agreed to write to MLAs about justice minister selection. | He said he met First Minister Peter Robinson, and they agreed to write to MLAs about justice minister selection. |
| "I think the vast majority of people want to see policing and justice in the hands of local people," he said. | "I think the vast majority of people want to see policing and justice in the hands of local people," he said. |
| I know that sometimes the rhetoric can be perplexing but I urge everyone to listen carefully both to what is said and what is not said Shaun WoodwardNI secretary | |
| DUP assembly member Peter Weir said Mr McGuinness's comments were "a tantrum", and warned that threats were counterproductive. | |
| A bill paving the way for the devolution of the powers in the future passed its final stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday. | A bill paving the way for the devolution of the powers in the future passed its final stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday. |
| It creates a justice department and allows a justice minister to be appointed with cross-community backing. | It creates a justice department and allows a justice minister to be appointed with cross-community backing. |
| The DUP and Sinn Fein have been arguing for months over the issue, often referred to as the "last piece of the devolution jigsaw". | The DUP and Sinn Fein have been arguing for months over the issue, often referred to as the "last piece of the devolution jigsaw". |
| The DUP leader has said policing devolution will only take place when there is sufficient community confidence while Sinn Fein wants the power transferred as soon as possible. | The DUP leader has said policing devolution will only take place when there is sufficient community confidence while Sinn Fein wants the power transferred as soon as possible. |
| Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward has told an audience in the US that transfer of the powers remains on track. | |
| Addressing an audience at Harvard University, Mr Woodward said: "We stand now on the edge of completing devolution. | |
| "I know that sometimes the rhetoric can be perplexing but I urge everyone to listen carefully both to what is said and what is not said." |