Obstacles loom for justice post
AS nominations today open — and close — for the post of Justice Minister, the plan for a swift devolution of policing and justice powers faces three fresh challenges.
Agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein last week appeared to have overcome the biggest obstacle to the swift transfer of the sensitive powers.
But yesterday three fresh obstacles loomed:
n The Ulster Unionists' warned that they will only accept the deal if it is renegotiated, a crucial intervention as Peter Robinson has made clear he will not go further ahead without the UUP's endorsement.
Margaret Ritchie, who has said she would leave the Executive if Alliance get the justice ministry, was elected SDLP leader.
Alliance leader David Ford, who has long been expected to readily agree to take the job, said that his party would not, at this stage, be nominating an MLA for the position.
If the issues disrupt the carefully-crafted timetable for devolving policing and justice, they could threaten the chances of the powers being transferred within the tight timeframe which Sinn Fein and the DUP have agreed.
There is also the potential that those within the DUP who are unhappy about the issue will become vocal in their opposition.
So far none of the known DUP sceptics have praised the deal, despite their leader revealing on Thursday night that every member of his party voted for the agreement.
UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy last night warned that it was "in everybody's interests to discover what the so-called side-deals are and what they mean".
"The section dealing with outstanding issues of St Andrews seems to involve something with the Irish language, an equality rights agenda and increased north-south cooperation.
"There are also rumours surrounding the Presbyterian Mutual Society (PMS) – we need clarity on all these issues."
Mr Kennedy said that his party had not made a final decision on whether to put forward an MLA for the justice job but said that it "looks like it has been set up as a coronation for the Alliance Party".
But Mr Ford yesterday said his party was not yet in a position to apply for the post because policies for the new ministry have not been properly outlined.
"On the basis of a leaders' meeting tomorrow (Monday) there would not be an Alliance nomination," he told BBC Radio Ulster yesterday.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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