THE BRITISH government is to push for the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont once the European election is over next month.
The British treasury is understood to be considering positively a plan to meet the costs of any settlement arising out of deafness claims being made by police officers, which is a key concern.
Such a proposal would smooth negotiations aimed at securing an agreed budget for a new justice department which would be added to the treasury’s block grant to Northern Ireland.
The costs of justice devolution have provoked concern at Stormont for many months, particularly among the DUP, which holds the finance portfolio.
To meet these concerns, the treasury is prepared to consider a one-off payment to meet any deafness claims and other so-called legacy issues.
However in the context of the dramatic economic downturn, it is determined not to meet any new and recurring costs, according to reliable sources.
The outline plan to fund justice devolution emerged last week after a series of meetings involving Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward.
The DUP has said it will agree to devolution only when there is sufficient “community confidence”. For unionists, the exercising of justice powers is a core issue and their removal by the British government led to the suspension of the old Stormont in 1972.
Unionists are determined that Sinn Féin will not be in a position to take control of policing, justice and related issues.