How ironic, that after all their bluster over the IRA decommissining ..then sinn feins refusal to get involed in the policing of northern ireland..(which they did come on board later) The DUP,under pressure from the orange order,refuse to grant the devolution of policing+justice to the parties elected by the people of the north. Though not surprised,when they were in the majority, they surpressed the nationalists claims for equality.... now that they see its almost a level playing field with nationalists..they have to be dragged, kicking and screaming,by all the norths parties,and both governments. What will they be like when nationalists are in the majority in a few years time? Frustrating times ahead.
No surprise any more in the North, they seem to need the British pm and Biffo to be there to get them to do anything!
Mate to be honest, being from the North, I'm delighted we've got this far. Don't forget what we were doing to each other up there until 10 years ago. Its a long road to get to where we want to go ....
Lads I think it's more that they have to be seen doing it this way rather than just agreeing with it all. If you remember this has been the same the whole way through on all negociations on all sides. If they want it to work they will have to agree and get on with it. Can't see them going back 15 years to be honest. Most of my relatives on mothers side are from up north Falls road, and they tell me the difference is unreal. Haven't been up there in years to be honest so can't really comment.
Glad to see parties reach agreement,its another step in the right direction for the people of the north.
The 21-page Hillsborough Agreement sets out plans for devolving policing and justice powers, dealing with contentious loyal order parades and resolving outstanding issues facing the Stormont Executive. Its main points include: DEVOLUTION :: Powers to be devolved on April 12, following the formal passing of a resolution in the Assembly on March 9. :: The First Minister and Deputy First Minister will consider applications for the new Justice Minister on Monday. With neither the DUP nor Sinn Féin to nominate candidates, leader of the non-aligned Alliance Party David Ford is tipped for the role, which will be decided by cross-community vote in the Assembly. :: While the new minister will have the same status as all other ministers in the power-sharing Cabinet, he or she will have the ability to take certain urgent decisions without recourse to executive colleagues. PARADING :: A six-member working group, appointed by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, will formulate a framework for new parade management procedures. :: Its work will place emphasis on allowing local people to find solutions to local parading problems, with the rights of marchers and residents taken into account. :: In instances when accommodation cannot be found, it is envisaged that an adjudication panel made up of lay and legal representatives will rule. :: The Executive will transfer responsibilities for parading legislation from Westminster and table a new Bill based on the working group's proposals. :: The current Parades Commission will continue to adjudicate on contentious marches until the new framework comes into operation - expected at the end of 2010. OTHER OUTSTANDING ISSUES :: An Executive working group will be set up to examine ways to improve the operation of the power-sharing Cabinet. It is intended that this will be co-chaired by Ulster Unionist leader and Employment Minister Sir Reg Empey and SDLP Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie. :: DUP and Sinn Féin junior ministers Robin Newton and Gerry Kelly will chair another Executive working group to progress issues the Cabinet has so far failed to agree on. These include the stalled shake-up and restructuring of the education system. :: The First Minister and Deputy First Minister will conduct an exercise to address matters still outstanding from the 2006 St Andrews Agreement. These include legislative measures to protect the rights of Irish language speakers.
Heres hoping they have sorted things properly this time and it doesn`t all blow up again when it comes to the first contentious parade..........
On a related note, Margaret Ritchie has been installed as the new SDLP leader. I feel the only way forward for the Stoops is a merger with FF in the north within the next 5-10 years
I seen Alasdair McDonnell being interviewed a few nights ago and thought he was very arrogant about becoming leader as if it was a foregone conclusion (QUOTE -"when,not if!") and thought to myself then that he may have shot himself in the foot. Good luck to Margaret Ritchie.