SF and Dupes all Friends again - So what has wee Marty given up?

[An Fear Rua]

Deal brokered to end NI deadlock

The DUP and Sinn Féin have come to an agreement on the devolution of policing and justice powers designed to bring a 152-day deadlock at Stormont to an end.

Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have set out a series of steps to be taken before policing and justice can be devolved.

The executive will meet on Thursday 20 November and on a weekly basis until business is up-to-date, they said.

There is no timetable but both parties are committed to completing the process

Under a special clause, temporary arrangements for electing a justice minister will be replaced by permanent rules by May 2012

Speaking at a news conference at Stormont, First Minister Peter Robinson said there had been "a satisfactory resolution of the most difficult issues".

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said "significant progress" had been made.

Both ministers said they wanted devolution to happen "without undue delay".

"We are both agreed that policing and justice functions should be devolved, every leading politician in this community is committed to this outcome," Mr McGuinness said.

Weekly meeting

Mr Robinson said: "We have agreed the executive should meet this Thursday, 20 November, the meetings will continue each week until business is up to date, we will then revert to our fortnightly meeting"

"The agreement we have reached represents a very satisfactory resolution of the most difficult issues relating to the modalities of transferring power and meets all of the publicly expressed concerns," Mr Robinson said.

"We believe these arrangements are capable of gaining the confidence of the community and we look to the prime minister to make good his commitment of helping to resolve the financial arrangements relating to the devolution of these powers."

The ministers were speaking to the media after a meeting of the assembly and executive review committee to discuss the devolution of policing and justice.

It was held in private. The DUP and Sinn Féin had been at odds over when the assembly should take these powers.

New attorney general

A new attorney general is to be appointed for Northern Ireland under the agreement.

Currently, the attorney general for England and Wales also holds the post for Northern Ireland.

The two ministers have announced they are "minded to invite" John Larkin QC to take the post.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7735489.stm

no deadline, you have to laugh ...

[Doire abú]

Or else you'd cry.

[SidelineKick]

Or at this stage not care 

[Tony Baloney]

I think they just fancied an extended summer holiday. They'll come back for more of the same i.e. nothing, and then they'll be off again for Xmas.

[T Fearon]

Whats the point in devolving Police and Justice powers in 2012? Sure thats only four years before the official end of partition?

[Zapatista]

Whats the point in devolving Police and Justice powers in 2012? Sure thats only four years before the official end of partition?

It makes more sense to have devolved policing before there is a united Ireland.

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Whats the point in devolving Police and Justice powers in 2012? Sure thats only four years before the official end of partition?

Think you'll find that things are devolved next year, with the appointment of a chief justice by start of Feb, with the rest to fall into place by the Autumn.

[Donagh]

Whats the point in devolving Police and Justice powers in 2012? Sure thats only four years before the official end of partition?

That's when Gerry Kelly becomes Minister for Policing.

[Tankie]

Its about time they got back to work, the world is going through it worst ever economic climate and these pack of clowns refuse to work or talk for 22 weeks!!!!!!!!

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Its about time they got back to work, the world is going through it worst ever economic climate and these pack of clowns refuse to work or talk for 22 weeks!!!!!!!!

They never stopped talking, just haven't had an executive meeting in 22 weeks.

[Zapatista]

Its about time they got back to work, the world is going through it worst ever economic climate and these pack of clowns refuse to work or talk for 22 weeks!!!!!!!!

You have a grat understanding of the situation there Tankie. You should really apply your talent to real peace processes such as that in Palestine.

[full back]

Talking or not, they have done fcuk all for the last 22 weeks
In essence, they are getting paid to yap at each other & pick petty arguments with the 'other side'

[Zapatista]

I for one want devolution of policing and justice.

[orangeman]

Whats the point in devolving Police and Justice powers in 2012? Sure thats only four years before the official end of partition?

That's when Gerry Kelly becomes Minister for Policing.

John Mc Cain for US president in January as well then ?

[Donagh]

John Mc Cain for US president in January as well then ?

I'm not with you - explain? AKAIK John McCain lost the election so he cannot become US President in January. However a sunset clause was introduced today which means that the rules governing the selection of the Justice Minister will be for this life of this Assembly only. In three years time it'll most likely be on the basis of d'Hont, so unless the Stoops perform a Lazarus like comeback first and second picks will go to the DUP and SF.